Leadership

Permanent Secretary (Establishment and Human Resource Development)

Garba Aliyu Gayari was born on the 5t* of June, 1966, in Gayari District of Gummi Local Government Area, Zamfara State. A seasoned administrator, technocrat, and agricultural development expert, he has devoted over three decades of meritorious service to the growth and transformation of the agricultural and public sectors in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State.

He began his educational journey at Government College, Sokoto, where he obtained his Senior School Leaving Certificate in 1984. He proceeded to Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1991. He later obtained a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2010. He completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with Akwa Palm Industry Limited, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he served as a Plantation Manager between 1992 and 1993. Mr. Gayari’s public service career began in 1993 with the Ministry of Agriculture, Sokoto State, as Agricultural Officer II, before joining the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) projects in Sokoto and later Zamfara, where he distinguished himself as Technical Officer, Zonal Coordinator, and later Subject Matter Specialist (SMS). His remarkable performance earned him the Best Local Government Coordinator Award (Shagari Local Government) under the IFAD/Sokoto Agricultural and Community Development Project (SACDP) in 1996. Between 1996 and 2000, he served as Senior Agricultural Extension Officer with the Ministry of Agriculture, Zamfara State, and later as Head of the Department of Crop Production at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura, from 2000 to 2003. His expertise in agricultural policy implementation and rural development saw him rise through key leadership positions, including Director of Marketing, Processing and Handling at the Zamfara Accelerated Cotton Development Agency (ZAMCODA) from 2012 to 2019, and Coordinator, Zamfara Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Programme (ZACREP) from 2019 to 2021.

Garba Gayari’s administrative acumen and leadership qualities earned him appointment as Permanent Secretary in several Ministries, where he served with distinction-Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (2021 – 2022), Ministry of Water Resources (2022 – 2023), and Ministry of Agriculture (2023 – 2025). In March 2025, he was appointed Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Human Resource Development Department, in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, where he continues to contribute immensely to the implementation of the State’s Public Service Reform Agenda, capacity development initiatives, and institutional strengthening efforts.

Over the years, Mr. Gayari has participated in several local and

international training workshops and seminars, including on Modern Farm Management,

Reclamation of Degraded and Marginal Lands, and Community-Based Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation, among others.

A man of integrity, discipline, and commitment to public service excellence, Garba Aliyu Gayari is widely respected for his humility, administrative competence, and dedication to the ideals of good governance. He enjoys reading and travelling.

Director of Admin and Human Resource (Public Service Office)

Ibrahim Usman Bala is the Director, Administration and Human Resources (Public Service Office). Born on 15th January, 1971 in Gusau, Zamfara State, Ibrahim began his educational journey at Danturai Primary School, Gusau, and later proceeded to Government Secondary School, Yelwa-Yauri. He undertook the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) course at the College of Arts and Science, Sokoto, after which he gained admission into Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2001.

Upon completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Jigawa State, he furthered his education at his alma mater, earning a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy in 2011.

He began his public service career in 2004 when he joined the Zamfara State Civil Service as an Administrative Officer II. Through diligence, professionalism, and sustained commitment to duty, he served in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), contributing immensely to the advancement of administrative and human resource practices in the State.

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Over the years, he distinguished himself as a dedicated human resource practitioner, administrator, and researcher, and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Director (Administration and Human Resources). He currently serves as the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Office of the Head of Service, Zamfara State, where he provides strategic leadership in personnel management, capacity development, and organizational efficiency.

A disciplined, result-oriented, and resourceful officer, Ibrahim Usman Bala exemplifies the virtues of integrity, teamwork,and public service excellence. He is happily married and blessed with four children.

Director, Head of Service

Mukhtar Rabiu is the Director, Head of Service. He began his distinguished career in the Zamfara State Civil Service in 2004 as an Administrative Officer. Through diligence, discipline and exemplary performance, he steadily rose through the ranks to become substantive Deputy Director. Over the years, he served with outstanding commitment and professionalism in several strategic establishments, including the Ulama Consultative Council, the State House of Assembly and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, where he served as Deputy Director.His competence and leadership earned him an appointment as Director General of Services at the SS’s Office, before my posting to the Ministry of Commerce as Director of Administration Presently, he serves as Director Head of Service, where he continuously demonstrates integrity, administrative excellence and dedication to the public service. He has served on various committees such as Transition Committees, Anniversary Committees and the

Committee for the Establishment of Zamfara State University, among others. I am currently a member of the State Speech Writing Committee.

He attended numerous courses, conferences and workshops both within and outside Nigeria, which have further enhanced my administrative expertise. I will also continue to exhibit professionalism and commitment, contributing immensely to the effective functioning of the civil service and development of Zamfara State.

Director of Finance and Accounts

Aminu Musa Mafara is the Director of Finance and Accounts. He was born on 13th November, 1977, in Yelwa Sabon Fege Area, Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Zamara State. From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional dedication to both Islamic and Western education. He memorized the Glorious Qur’an at the age of twelve at Sheikh Abubakar Tureta Islamic School,

Talata Mafara. He thereafter attended Dr. Abubakar Dogo Model Primary School, Talata Mafara (1986 – 1991), and proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Gusau, and later Sani Dingyadi Unity Secondary School, Farfaru, Sokoto (1992 – 1997), where he completed his secondary education. He obtained both a Certificate and Diploma in Public Account and Auditing from Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara (2000 – 2002). He furthered his education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he studied Economics (2011 – 2016) and obtained an exemption certificate in 2020. To deepen his professional knowledge, he acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Annahada International University, Niger Republic (2019 – 2022). Mr. Mafara began his public service career in September 2001 with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. In 2008, he was converted to the Accounting Cadre under the Ministry of Finance, and subsequently posted to the Cabinet Affairs and General Services Department, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, where he rose through the ranks from Accountant to Deputy Director and later Director of Finance and Supply, serving meritoriously from 2008 to June 2021.Over the years, he has held several key financial management positions across different MDAs, including the Zamtara State Zakat and Endowment Board, Cotton Development Agency, and the Zamfara State Fire Service.

He is currently serving as the Director of Finance and Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service, where he continues to provide exemplary leadership, professional guidance, and prudent financial stewardship.Mr. Mafara has also served on numerous ad hoc committees and assignments within the State Civil Service, contributing to administrative reforms, budgetary efficiency, and public accountability. He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), United

Kingdom (since 2011), and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria

(ANAN, 2022), reflecting his commitment professional development and adherence to international accounting In recognition of his integrity, service, and contributions to community development, His Royal Highness, Dr. Bello Muhammadu Barmo (Sarkin Mafara), conferred upon him the traditional title of Dan-Amar of Mafara in 2014.career reflects dedication, discipline, and distinction in public service, qualities that continue to inspire younger officers across the Zamfara State Civil Service.

Director of Finance and Accounts (Establishment Department)

Sani Muhammad is a seasoned financial management expert and public administrator, currently serving as the Director of Finance and Accounts, Establishment and Human Resources Department, in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Zamfara State. Born on the 17th of December, 1974, in Samaru, Gusau Local Government Area, he has built an illustrious career rooted in professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to service excellence.

Mr. Muhammad began his educational journey at Samaru Primary School, Gusau, in 1983, and later attended Government Day Secondary School, Danturai, where he obtained his secondary education certificate in 1992. His pursuit of knowledge and passion for accounting led him to The Polytechnic of Sokoto State in 1994, and subsequently to Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, where he obtained both a Certificate and National Diploma in Accountancy in 1996 and 2005 respectively.To further deepen his professional competence, he attended the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2008 and the prestigious Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos, in 2015, earning the designations of Certified National Accountant (CNA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA)-a testament to his commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning. Mr. Muhammad’s career in public service spans over two decades of dedicated service across key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Zamfara State Government. He began his career at the School for Continuing Education (Women Teachers Grade II) in 2001, where he served diligently until 2006. In the same year, he joined the Zamfara State Ministry of Finance as an Accountant, later serving as Project Accountant with the

Second Livestock Development Department, where he

distinguished himself through prudent financial management and accountability.

His professional journey saw him rise steadily through the ranks, holding key financial leadership positions such as Deputy Director of Finance at the Zamfara Urban and Regional Planning Board (ZUREPB) in 2016, Cashier at the Local Government Pension Board in 2018, and Director of Finance and Supply at several strategic agencies, including the Directorate of Sports Development (2020), Liaison Service, Kaduna (2022), and Directorate of Special Services (2023). In 2024, Mr. Muhammad was appointed Director of Finance and Accounts at the Establishment and Human Resources Department, under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, where he currently oversees financial planning, budget coordination,expenditurecontrol, and fiscal accountability within the parastatal. His leadership in this role has been instrumental in enhancing transparency, ensuring compliance with public financial regulations, and supporting the ongoing Public Service Reform Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Dauda Lawal.

A member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Muhammad combines strong technical expertise with a reputation for ethical conduct, teamwork, and administrative diligence.

Beyond his professional life, he is passionate about football management and reading, activities that reflect his balanced approach to personal development and recreation. Sani Muhammad is happily married and blessed with children.

Director of Labour Matters (Establishment Department)

Ashafa Abubakar is a dedicated public servant and astute administrator whose career in the Zamara State Civil Service has been defined by diligence, integrity, and a deep commitment to the advancement of labour relations and human resource development in the State.

Born on the 1gth of June, 1980, in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Mr. Abubakar began his educational journey at Magajin Rafi Model Primary School, Sokoto, where he obtained his Primary School Certificate in 1992. He proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Gusau, earning his Senior Secondary School Certificate in 1998, and later attended Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, where heobtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 2005. He began his professional career during the National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC) at the Social Department of Boripe Local Government Council, Osun State, in 2007, where he demonstrated exceptional commitment to community service and social development.

Abubakar joined the Zamfara State Civil Service in 2008 as an Administrative Officer in the Office of the Head of Service, from where he was posted to the Zamfara State Agency for Poverty Alleviation, serving meritoriously from 2008 to 2015. His competence and performance earned him a secondment to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment between 2015 and 2020, where he gained invaluable experience in labour administration, industrial relations, and national employment policy implementation. Upon his return from secondment in 2020, he was posted to the Directorate of Labour Matters, where he served as Acting Director of Administration (2022 – 2023). His administrative insight and leadership skills led to his subsequent posting to the Local Government Service Commission as Acting Deputy Director of Administration in 2025. In recognition of his efficiency, professionalism, and commitment to public service, Establishment and Human Resources Development Department, Office of the Head of Civil Service, in April 2025, a position he currently holds.

Throughout his career, Ashafa Abubakar has demonstrated steadfast dedication to the promotion of harmonious labour relations, effective personnel management, and institutional capacity building. His passion for continuous professional workshops and training programs, including the International Labour Migration Step-Down Training held in Kano in December 2021, and a three-day Workshop on Basic Computer Literacy organized by Amlak Technology Nigeria Ltd, Gusau, from 13th to 15th September 2025. An articulate administrator and advocate of modern labour practices, Mr. Ashafa Abubakar is widely respected among his peers and subordinates for his humility, professionalism, and strong work ethic. His contributions have greatly enhanced the efficiency of labour management and staff welfare coordination within the Zamfara State Civil Service. He is happily married and blessed with children.

Director of Administration and Human Resources (Establishment

Department)

Nuruddeen Labbo, an accomplished public administrator and human

resource professional, was born on the 1s* of February, 1973, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Over the years, he has distinguished himself through diligence, administrative excellence, and an unwavering commitment to public service transformation in Zamfara State.

Labbo began his educational journey at Anka Town Primary School in 1979 and Model Primary School, Dangulbi, where he obtained his Primary School Certificate in 1984. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Dansadau (1984 – 1987) and later Government Secondary School, Gusau (1987 – 1989), where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate in 1989. He attended the College of Arts and Science, Sokoto between 1991 and 1993, where he successfully completed the IJMB “A” Level Programme, and later advanced to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 1997 with Second Class (Lower Division). Upon completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1999, Mr. Labbo began his public service career as a Clerical Officer with the Ministry of Works and Transport, Sokoto, a position he held until the creation of Zamfara State, where he continued to serve in various administrative capacities. Through dedication and hard work, he steadily rose through the ranks to occupy key administrative and leadership positions across several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

His extensive experience includes serving as Ag. Deputy Director, Establishment, Careers and Training Department (2000 – 2001); Ag. Deputy Director, Zakkat and Endowment Board (2001 – 2003); Assistant General Manager, Administration, Zamara State Water Board (2003-

2004); and Ag. Director, Zakkat and Endowment Board (2004 – 2007). He

for Local Government Project Monitoring (2008 – 2014).

Between 2014 and 2022, Mr. Labbo served as Ag. Director, Planning, at the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), where he demonstrated outstanding leadership in humanitarian coordination and disaster management. His exceptional performance earned him elevation to Ag. Director of Administration, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (2022 – 2023), and later Ag. Director of Administration and Human Resources, Establishment and Human Resource Development Department in the Office of the Head of Civil Service (2023 to date). In this role, he has been instrumental in implementing the State’s Public Service Reform Agenda, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting professionalism, ethical conduct, and efficiency in the State’s workforce management system. Labbo has attended several professional

courses and international development workshops, including certifications in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (UNDP, 2015); Emergency Food Security

Assessment (WFP, 2015); Sphere Training (IOM, 2016); ESPID Inclusive Social Protection Course for Trainers (Save the Children International,

2021); and Attitudinal Change, Workplace Ethics and Best Practices (Zamfara State Government, 2024). These training programs have enhanced his capacity in public policy administration, humanitarian coordination, and institutional reform.Known for his humility, discipline, and administrative acumen, Nuruddeen is a model civil servant whose professionalism has earned him respect among his peers and subordinates. His leadership continues to strengthen the administrative framework of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, ensuring the realization of Governor Dauda Lawal’s vision for a transparent, efficient, and accountable civil service. He enjoys reading and continuous learning. Nuruddeen Labbo is happily married and blessed with children.

Director of Training and Human Resource Development

Kabiru Mainasara is a distinguished public administrator and human resource development professional who has contributed immensely to the growth and transformation of the Zamara State Civil Service through over three decades of dedicated service, visionary leadership, and commitment to institutional excellence.

Born and raised in Zamfara State, Mainasara obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) Degree in Islamic Studies from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS) in 1990. He furthered his education in public administration, earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) in 1996, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the same university in 2000. Mr. Mainasara began his public service career in the Zamfara State Directorate of Political Affairs, where he served diligently from 2000 to 2008 as Acting Deputy Director of Administration (GL 12). His administrative prowess and commitment to excellence led to successive appointments across key state agencies. Between 2008 and 2010, he served as Acting Deputy Director of Administration at the Zamfara State Directorate of Rural Water Supply, Gusau, and subsequently as Acting Director of Administration (GL 14) with the Zamfara State Environmental Sanitation Agency from 2010 to 2015. In recognition of his exceptional leadership and administrative skills, he was appointed Director of Administration and Training (GL 15) at the Zamfara State Local Government Service Commission between 2015 and 2019, where he oversaw personnel management, training coordination, and institutional strengthening across the State’s 14 Local Government Areas. In 2019, Kabiru Mainasara was elevated to the position of Director, Human Resource Development in the Department of Establishment and Human Resource Development, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Zamfara State, a position he holds to date. In this role, he has been instrumental in driving the State’s capacity-building agenda, ensuring the continuous professional development of civil servants, and enhancing the effectiveness of human resource management systems in line with the State’s Public Service Reform Policy (2023-2027). Over the course of his career, Mr. Mainasara has attended numerous professional workshops and seminars aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and leadership capacity. These include Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies at Area House, Kaduna (2017), Improving Local Government Administration for Grassroots Development at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos (2016), and Cost Accounting and Control at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Gusau Area Office (2004), among others. His commitment to service extends beyond the confines of public administration. Mr. Mainasara has served in several notable committees and community service initiatives, including Secretary, Feeding and Refreshment Committee for the National Qur’an Recitation Competition (Gusau, 2013), Assistant Secretary, Mosques and Islamiyya Schools Development Committee (2000 – 2007), and Member, Standing Committee on Capacity Building and Workforce Development (2025). A disciplined and self-motivated officer, Mainasara is highly regarded for his integrity, administrative insight, and passion for knowledge. His hobbies include reading and research, which continue to shape his approach to professional growth and institutional innovation. Through his unwavering dedication and exemplary leadership, Kabiru Mainasara remains a pillar of excellence within the Zamfara State Civil Service and a model of professionalism and moral uprightness in public administration.

Director of data services (Establishment Department)

Lawal Gusau, a distinguished Statistician and data management professional, was born on the 22nd of February, 1982, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. A highly skilled data analyst, researcher, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expert, he has dedicated his professional life to strengthening evidence-based policy formulation, planning, and decision-making processes within Zamfara State’s public service. He began his educational journey at Yelwa Model Primary School, Talata Mafara (1986 – 1991), and obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate from Agwaragi Secondary School, Talata Mafara (1994 – 2000).

He proceeded to Sokoto State Polytechnic, where he earned a Diploma in Computer Science (2000 – 2002), and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (2003- 2007). Upon completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2009, where he taught Mathematics at the Army Day Secondary School, Onitsha North Local Government, Anambra State, Mr. Gusau joined the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Zamfara State, as Statistician II, marking the beginning of a distinguished public service career that has spanned over 15 years. Through dedication, innovation, and professional excellence, he rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Statistician I, Senior Statistician, Principal Statistician, Assistant Chief Statistician, and later Acting Deputy Director of Statistics at the State Bureau of Statistics. During his years of service at the Zamfara State Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Gusau played a leading role in strengthening data

infrastructure, improving statistical quality assurance, and institutionalizing modern methods of data collection and analysis. His professional work has focused on designing, developing, and implementing robust data management systems, supervising large-scale field surveys, and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of state statistical datasets.

He has been instrumental in several landmark exercises and projects, including:

• The establishment of the Zamfara State Bureau of Statistics in 2015;
• The production of the State Statistical Yearbook (2010 & 2011);
• The development of the Zamfara State Development Plan (201 – 2025) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework; Participation in the

State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP)

Collaboration Survey with the National Bureau of Statistics, National Planning Commission, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (2016); and Coordination of numerous national and international data-driven programmes such as UNICEF’s GEP3 and Educate A Child IDP Rapid Needs Assessment

(2021), and NHIS Surveys.

Lawal Gusau’s technical proficiency is complemented by a strong command of statistical software tools, including SPSS, Minitab, and Spreadsheet applications, as well as expertise in data storage, archiving, and digital reporting systems. His participation in over a dozen capacity-building workshops organized by SPARC-DID, OSSAP-MDGs,

Save the Children International (SCI), UNICEF, and the World Bank, reflects his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Currently serving as Director, Data Services, in the Establishment and Human Resources Department Parastatal of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Zamfara State, Mr. Gusau continues to contribute immensely to the modernization of public service administration through the integration of digital data systems, biometric payroll verification, and evidence-based personnel management. A member of the Nigerian Statistical Association and the Monitoring and Evaluation Community of Practice, Lawal Gusau is widely respected for his precision, diligence, and innovative leadership in public data

management. His hobbies include analytical research, travelling, and

professional networking. He is happily married and blessed with children.