By Ummi & Rashidu Mahmud


“Our children are the future of our nation, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the care, protection and the support they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Unfortunately, there are many children in the FCT who are at risk due to various factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, and lack of access to education and healthcare.”


These are the humble and caring words of Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the current Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. They are words that embodied and defined her genuine concern and care for children as a medical professional and a politician with empathy. She is equally a woman whose drive for gender appreciation made her a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and education.

Her role in the various positions she has been appointed over the years since her journey into the Nigerian political terrain has been positively eventful. One of such unforgettable and commendable roles was her proactive leadership as the then Kano State Commissioner for Higher Education. Dr. Maryam proactive foresight during the challenging times of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic exemplified her dedication to the welfare and educational development of the people. It was noted that her efforts, including her timely direction to reopen the state owned tertiary education institutions played a vital role in curtaining the pandemic and helped galvanise the citizens back to their normal social interaction. These undeniably underscore her visionary leadership style and tireless advocacy for continuous progress.

So her appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Minister of State, FCT and subsequent assumption of office on the 12th August, 2023 with the Minister of FCT Barrister Nyesom Wike was quite an historical moment for those who knew her professionalism and efficiency.

No doubt that she has stood out conspicuously along with her boss as the best performing ministers under the present administration. Her zealous support and belief in the vision and policy of President Tinubu has revealed her as one of the recognised ministers who has been patriotically pushing forward the president’s Renewed Hope agenda through her speech and action. For instance she made the above quoted statement when she inaugurated the FCT At-Risk Children Programme (ARCP) implementation committee in Abuja.

She explained during the event that the programme was designed to ensure improved well-being and protection of every child within the nation’s capital. She described the committee as a crucial step towards addressing the needs of identified vulnerable children and ensuring that they were not left behind. A resounding mantra of the Tinubu’s administration has been on the need to ensure that no child is left behind in educational development and affordable healthcare. “We will work hand-in-hand with local government area councils who are the closest administrative bodies to the communities, and their close knowledge of local challenges and dynamics is invaluable,” she said.

According to the Minister of state, FCT, the outcome of this crucial committee would make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the children and help them build a better future for themselves and the nation. This no doubt is possible if the committee carried out their assignment diligently.

The appointment of Dr Mariya has proved that she was actually a right peg in the right hole. Humbled and loyal, her relationship with everyone both at work and at home is exemplary. She personified a woman and a mother with care and empathy, especially for those at the grassroots. This could be discerned from her view during the recent commissioning of various roads projects across the Federal Capital Territory.

‘’ Construction of rural roads would not only open the rural communities for trade and commerce, but also create access to market, health care and education. Road infrastructures form the backbone of rural economies and contribute to the overall development of the nation. Improved road networks connect essential services more easily. This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities and stimulates local economies.’’ She pointed out.

History we believe would include the name of Dr Mariya Mahmoud among those who contributed selflessly and patriotically to develop the Federal Capital Territory alongside her efficient boss Barrister Nyosom Wike, who as FCT Minister no doubt has performed remarkably well within the short time of their appointment. The Federal Capital Territory has within a year redefined the face of administration in the federal capital and galvanised infrastructural development across the councils.

Dr Mariya Mahmoud with all modesty has proved beyond reasonable doubt that she is a factual representation of the youths in governance this we could summed up from her motherly and nationalist advice to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the official closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch A Stream 2 orientation exercise for corps members deployed to the FCT.

, “Wherever you may find yourselves, you must strive to make a difference; to spearhead transformation, promote harmonious interaction and creative development.” She said,

Nigeria at this critical moment needs and deserves nothing better than harmonious interaction and creative development to galvanise the nation and its people forward as urged by the Minister of state, FCT, whose leadership quality in the various position she has held has impacted positively to the socio-economy development of the country first as a professional public health physician, second as an erudite educationist and finally as an efficient public servant

This article is courtesy of Ummi & Rashidu Mahmud in recognition of the impactful leadership style of Dr Mariya Mhamoud, the Minister of State, FCT. mahmoodrashidu@gmail.com