By Nuhu Bashir Masa, Zaria, Kaduna.
“With about two decades of cognitive experience in Media and Strategic Communication, Community Engagement and Policy Design, Ahmed Maiyaki has been a core media adviser and image maker to two consecutive Governors of Kaduna State (population of over 10 million). In these roles, he led the engagement of citizen groups, media and civil society, using his role to strengthen the trust between Government and its citizens.
Until his Appointment Ahmed Maiyaki holds Masters and Bachelors of Science degrees in Mass Communications from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He has also attended various local and international trainings including; ‘Digital & Terrestrial Broadcasting: Quality Content Workflow from Acquisition to Distribution’ and a Project Management Certification Programme that qualified him as an Associate Chartered Project Manager.
Maiyaki had served as Director General & Special Advisor on Media and Publicity to the Governor between 2013 to 2015, and secondly as Special Advisor on Community Relations & Engagement to the Governor between 2019 to 2022. In 2022, he was appointed the Vice Chairman, Data, Research and Verification Committee, Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council (ICC). In addition, he served as the Deputy Director, Strategic Communication, Kaduna State APC Campaign Council and also the Deputy Director General and Campaign Secretary, Kaduna Central APC. In all the roles, he served diligently for the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at all levels in the 2023 general elections.
He has also worked as a Media and Communication Consultant at two of Nigeria’s Federal Government Agencies: the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). Under NEMA, Maiyaki led an integrated behavioural change communication campaign against flood disasters in 2012. He also contributed immensely toward the formulation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policy towards disaster mitigation, preparedness, resilience and recovery in Nigeria.
Additionally, he worked as Communication Consultant to several International Development partners in Nigeria including the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID UK), United Nations Children’s and Education Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) funded projects focused on different thematic areas which include strengthening health systems, Education, Efficient leadership and good governance and sustainable and inclusive development in Kaduna, Jigawa, Kastina, Zamfara and Yobe states.
In 2012, he worked as a Resource Person and Trainer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) famous 'Media Support for Strengthening Advocacy, Good Governance and Empowerment (MESSAGE) Project, with funding from USAID for partner Radio and Television stations in 6 states across Nigeria.
While working as a reporter with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Maiyaki was named by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the 8 most influential journalists in Nigeria that contributed significantly to the eradication of poliomyelitis in Nigeria and its exit as a polio endemic nation in September 2015, which was globally acknowledged and published by international publications including the Journal of Infectious Disease Society of America and Oxford University Journal.”
Maiyaki is a Mentor and Patron to the Noble Association of Kaduna Young Journalists Association (KAYOJA)