EFIWE GISTS: Meet Prof. Isa Abubakar, Who Was Appointed As Professor Of Mathematics At The Age Of 28

An outstanding Legislator, seasoned University administrator, brilliant scholar and internationally renowned Mathematician.

He holds the degree of Bachelor of Science
with First Class Special Honours in Mathematics from the University of Ibadan and he obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cambridge, UK.

In his three year study at the University of Ibadan, he won the annual prize for the best student in the Department of Mathematics every year and on graduation the prize for the best graduating student in the faculty of science.

He is the first person in the Northern States of Nigeria to earn the degree of Ph.D in any subject.


He started his academic career as Research Assistant in the seismological Laboratory of the famous California Institute of Technology Pasadena, USA, and on his return to Nigeria he joined the service of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as Lecturer in Mathematics and rose to the post of Professor of Mathematics in 1967 at just 28!


While in the service of the Ahmadu Bello University, he became its Vice-Chancellor before retiring in 1979.

On retirement, he ventured to politics and was one of the founders of the National Party of Nigeria (N.P.N) and was elected one of the National Vice Chairmen of the Party.

He has been Minister of Defence 1979-81, and concurrently Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, October-December 1979, and Minister of Internal Affairs (1981-82).


He was a represented his senatorial district twice at the red chamber. Bauchi state & ABU's computer center are named in his honour!