Ali Mohammed

Mohammed Ali Ndume (born 20 November 1959) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the senator representing Borno South Senatorial District since 2011. He is currently a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed Ali Ndume was born in Gwoza Town of Borno State.

He attended Gadamayo Primary School in Gwoza and completed in 1972. He proceeded to Comprehensive Secondary School Mubi in then Gongola (now Adamawa State) from 1973 to 1978, where he obtained his Secondary School Certificate and WASC. He was appointed Junior House Captain and promoted to House Captain in his final year, consistently ranking first in his class.

After completing secondary school, he studied Marketing at Kaduna Polytechnic, earning an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 1980 and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing in 1982 with an Upper Credit level. He served his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, between 1982 and 1983.

He joined Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri in 1983 as a lecturer, rising to Senior Lecturer. In 1988, he received a USAID Post-Graduate Scholarship to study Business and Computer Education at the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, graduating with a B.Ed and M.Ed in 1990, earning Magna Cum Laude and Phi Kappa Phi honors.

After returning to Nigeria, he continued his teaching career at Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri until 2003. In 2003, he was elected to represent Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the ANPP platform, serving until 2011. He was the Minority Leader in the 6th Assembly (2007–2011).

In December 2010, he defected to the PDP, citing party injustices and marginalization. This shift allowed him to win the 2011 Senate election, defeating ANPP’s Dr. Asaba Vilita Bashir and CPC’s Alhaji Unaru Ibrahim. He served as the Senate’s MDGs Committee Chairman and championed bills like the Constituencies Development Fund and Electoral Act Amendment, enabling IDP voting rights.

His political alignments shifted again, forming the CPC with 20 colleagues before joining APC. He was re-elected in 2015 and became Senate Leader until 2017, when he was impeached. He later contested the 9th Senate presidency in 2019 but lost to Ahmed Lawan. In 2023, he became Chief Whip of the 10th Senate but was removed in 2024 following an APC-led demand.

Ndume has delivered over 60 constituency projects in Borno South, including classrooms, healthcare centers, electrification, and boreholes across the nine LGAs. He has also created jobs for youth and facilitated 100 houses in Gwoza LGA. His work has been recognized by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and international awards like the USAID Award and Dreams African Leadership Excellence Award.

He is married to Justice Aisha and Hajia Maryam, with 15 children. Ndume’s political career spans academia, teaching, and multiple legislative roles, emphasizing development and leadership in Borno State.