Buni Mai Mala

Mai Mala Buni was born on 19 November 1967 in Buni Yadi, Gujba (now part of Yobe State). At a young age, he began memorizing the Quran under family and local clerics before enrolling at Buni Gari Central Primary School, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979.

After primary school, he attended Government Secondary School Goniri (1979–1985) and obtained a WAEC certificate. His early business ventures included founding a furniture factory after completing secondary education, leading him to earn a Diploma in Vocational Science from the College of Vocational Science and Technology.

Buni entered politics in 1992 as a National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate for Buni Ward in Gujba Local Government. He later served as Speaker of the council and became a senior legislative assistant in Nigeria’s National Assembly by 2000.

His political career expanded when he was appointed to the University of Uyo Governing Council in 2004. In 2006, he became Chairman of the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) in Yobe State and later led the Action Congress alliance unopposed as its state chairman from 2007–2010.

In 2011, he joined the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), serving as Special Adviser on Political Affairs. After the APC merger in 2013, he became pro tem state secretary before being elected the party’s pioneer state chairman in Yobe State. In 2014, he was elected National Secretary of APC and later reappointed in 2018.

As APC national secretary, Buni was nominated as the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 Yobe gubernatorial election. He won with 444,013 votes, defeating Alhaji Bello Iliya (PDP). Since assuming office in 2019, he has focused on education reforms—building schools, reducing school fees, and improving teacher incentives.

His administration prioritized IDP rehabilitation, reconstructing homes and distributing livelihood packages under projects like APPEALS. Health infrastructure saw 53 PHC centers completed with laboratories and pharmacies. Mass housing initiatives, including 1,800 units in urban areas, are underway.

In October 2022, Buni was honored with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari for his public service contributions.