Mohammed Bala Abdulkadir

Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (born 5 October 1958) is a Nigerian politician who has served as governor of Bauchi State since 2019. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he was the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2010 to 2015, and senator representing Bauchi South senatorial district from 2007 to 2010.

Mohammed attended Duguri primary school in Bauchi from 1965 to 1971. From 1972 to 1976, he had his secondary education at Government School Bauchi. He obtained his advanced level testimonial in 1979 from North East College of Art and Science and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maiduguri.

In 1988, Mohammed completed a management course at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), and in 1997, he earned a certificate from the Institute of Purchase and Supplies. Mohammed began his career as a journalist in 1982 and served as a news editor of the Mirage newspaper, a news reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and a state editor in charge of Benue at the Democrat newspaper from 1983 to 1984.

He made a career switch to the civil service as an administrative officer at the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he served until 1994. He then moved to the presidency (cabinet secretariat) as the principal administrative officer.

Mohammed's rise through the civil service ranks was rapid. Between 1995 and 2005, he advanced from chief supplies officer at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to assistant director at the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, deputy director/special assistant to the Honourable Minister at the Federal Ministry of Transport, director of administration at the Nigerian Railway Corporation, special assistant to the Honourable Minister of Aviation, and director of administration and supplies at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. He voluntarily retired from the civil service at the rank of director and subsequently ventured into politics.

Mohammed reportedly fell out with political godfather Governor Isa Yuguda after Yuguda married President Umaru Yar'Adua's daughter and decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following the death of Umaru Yar'Adua, Mohammed joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became a close associate of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In 2007, Mohammed contested and won the election to serve the people of Bauchi South Senatorial zone as a senator under the party platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) from 2007 to 2010. While at the senate chamber, he became one of the foremost outspoken legislators in Nigeria. Mohammed sat as member of eight committees – he was the vice chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, secretary, Northern Senator's Forum. The committees included communication, finance, public account, rules and business, environment, labour and productivity.

On 10 February 2010, Mohammed supported the 'doctrine of necessity' in the senate that led to the emergence of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the acting president. His actions paved the way for Goodluck Jonathan, from the Niger Delta, to break the glass ceiling of Nigeria's tripodal political monopoly.

On 6 April 2010, Mohammed became the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He left the ANPP for the PDP shortly after. While at the FCT, he brought extensive reforms, including the sanitization of land administration, expansion of major roads, construction of the Kubwa expressway, rail track to Kaduna, and Idu rail station. He also introduced the land swap policy for infrastructural development and installed solar panel traffic lights. Projects included satellite towns and the Usama dam water project.

Institutions established under his administration included the FCT Internal Revenue Board, Outdoor Advertising (Signage) Agency, and FCTA Emergency Services. After his exit in May 2015, the EFCC arrested him in October 2016, but a court declared the detention illegal, ordering compensation. He accused the EFCC of a witch-hunt.

On 29 May 2019, Mohammed was sworn in as the governor of Bauchi State, defeating incumbent Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. The Supreme Court upheld his victory in January 2020. He aimed to streamline government processes, recover government properties, and eliminate ghost workers. He established committees to probe and recover looted funds and authenticate BVN.

His administration focused on improving education and healthcare, addressing over 1.3 million out-of-school children and non-functional hospitals. The government launched the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP), targeting women and youths with grants and resources. Investments were sought for commercial farming, and he flagged off 2,500 affordable houses in Dungal village. Roads within the state were also constructed.