Kaduna Governor Appoints Strategic Communicator, Ahmed Maiyaki as Information Commissioner

Kaduna Governor Appoints Strategic Communicator, Ahmed Maiyaki as Information Commissioner

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has appointed Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki as the new Commissioner for Information, following the removal of Professor Muhammad Sani Bello from the office.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa. According to the statement, the appointment is with immediate effect, as Maiyaki is expected to assume his new role without delay.

“His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani (CON), has approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki as the new Commissioner of Information. This follows the disengagement of Professor Muhammad Sani Bello from the Kaduna State Executive Council,” the statement read.

Until his new appointment, Alhaji Maiyaki served as the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC). He is a seasoned communication expert and former Director-General of Media and Publicity under a previous administration, widely respected for his strategic communication skills and deep understanding of media dynamics.

Ahmed Maiyaki, the new Information Commissioner, holds Master’s and Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Prior to his latest appointment, Maiyaki held several positions where he demonstrated excellent leadership skills, such as Acting Chairman, Data, Research & Verification Committee, Independent Presidential Campaign Council (ICC) 2022 – 2023; Deputy Director, Strategic Communication, Kaduna State Campaign Council 2022 – 2023; Deputy Director General/Campaign Secretary, Kaduna Central Senatorial District Campaign Council 2022- 2023; Senior Special Assistant to Kaduna State Governor, Community Relations and Engagement 2019 – 2022; and Director General/Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor, Media and Publicity 2013 – 2015, amongst others.

With nearly two decades of experience in media and strategic communication, community engagement, and policy design, Ahmed Maiyaki has been a core media adviser and image maker to two consecutive Governors of Kaduna State (population of over 10 million). In these roles, he led the engagement of citizen groups, media, and civil society, using his role to strengthen the trust between Government and its citizens.

He has also attended various local and international trainings, including ‘Digital & Terrestrial Broadcasting: Quality Content Workflow from Acquisition to Distribution’ and a Project Management Certification Programme that qualified him as an Associate Chartered Project Manager.

Maiyaki has also worked as a Media and Communication Consultant at two of Nigeria’s Federal Government Agencies: the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). Under NEMA, Maiyaki led an integrated behavioural change communication campaign against flood disasters in 2012. He also contributed immensely toward the formulation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policy towards disaster mitigation, preparedness, resilience, and recovery in Nigeria.

Additionally, he worked as Communication Consultant to several International Development partners in Nigeria, including the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID UK), United Nations Children’s and Education Fund (UNICEF), and World Health Organization (WHO) funded projects focused on various thematic areas, including strengthening health systems, education, efficient leadership, good governance, and sustainable and inclusive development in Kaduna, Jigawa, Kastina, Zamfara, and Yobe states.

In 2012, he worked as a Resource Person and Trainer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) famous ‘Media Support for Strengthening Advocacy, Good Governance, and Empowerment (MESSAGE) Project,’ with funding from USAID for partner Radio and Television stations in 6 states across Nigeria.

While working as a reporter with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Maiyaki was named by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the 8 most influential journalists in Nigeria that contributed significantly to the eradication of poliomyelitis in Nigeria and its exit as a polio endemic nation in September 2015. This achievement was globally acknowledged and published by international publications, including the Journal of Infectious Disease Society of America and Oxford University Journal.

Observers say Maiyaki’s appointment reflects Governor Sani’s commitment to revitalizing the state’s public information apparatus with capable hands who can enhance transparency, drive strategic messaging, and better connect government policies with the citizens.

By PRNigeria