Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed is a Nigerian politician and activist born in 1956. First female student union president at ABU. Read her biography here.
Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed is one of Nigeria’s most fearless political activists. Born in 1956 in Kano State, she has championed women’s rights, democratic values, and northern interests for five decades. The 70-year-old widow broke barriers as the first female Students’ Union president at Ahmadu Bello University and first female vice president of the National Association of Nigerian Students. Her recent criticism of President Tinubu’s administration keeps her prominent as a voice challenging power.
Quick Facts About Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed (Naja’atu Bala Muhammad) |
| Year of Birth | 1956 |
| Age | 70 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Kano, Kano State, Nigeria |
| Profession | Politician, Activist |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree in History, Ahmadu Bello University |
| Marital Status | Widow (Late Dr. Bala Mohammed) |
| Political Party | People’s Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Famous For | Student Activism, Political Advocacy, Northern Nigerian Rights |
| Current Role | Chair of Northern Star |
Early Life and Family
Born in Kano, her father Alhaji Ali Abdullahi was a socialist and contemporary of Mallam Aminu Kano in the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). Growing up in this politically active household instilled deep social responsibility. Her family’s socialist values emphasizing equality and justice became her activism’s foundation.
Education
She attended St. Louis Private School and Women’s Teachers’ College in Kano. At Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, she pursued a History degree. ABU was a hotbed of activism during the 1970s, and she emerged as a courageous student leader challenging male-dominated structures.
Student Leadership
She made history as the first female Students’ Union president at ABU in the late 1970s, challenging cultural resistance to female leadership. She also became the first female vice president of NANS, pushing for youth rights during military transitions. Her courage during this dangerous period established her as a formidable democratic advocate.
Personal Tragedy
In 1981, her husband Dr. Bala Mohammed Bauchi, political adviser to Governor Abubakar Rimi, was brutally assassinated while working on controversial reforms. He was chopped into pieces and burned alive. Rather than retreat, she channeled grief into intensified activism, continuing his work for political change.
Political Career
She ran as ACN nominee for Kano Central Senate in 2007, becoming one of the first women to contest for Senate in Kano. Though unsuccessful, her candidacy opened doors for other women. She became known for challenging powerful interests regardless of party, prioritizing principles over loyalty.
National Security Work
She joined the committee for Boko Haram-government dialogue despite male members withdrawing over security concerns. She viewed it as nation-building opportunity and vowed never to quit, citing Islamic faith and commitment to peace.
APC Involvement
She claimed to have influenced Buhari’s entry into civilian politics, supporting him strongly from 2015-2016. In 2018, she became Police Service Commission Commissioner. She later joined Tinubu’s 2023 campaign as Civil Society Director, though she originally supported Yemi Osinbajo for president.
Resignation and Controversy
In January 2023, she resigned from Tinubu’s campaign weeks before elections, claiming he suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia. She alleged rigged primaries with pre-marked ballots and revealed some northern politicians hoped Tinubu would be incapacitated so Shettima could become president. APC claimed she was dismissed for incompetence. She then joined PDP and endorsed Atiku Abubakar.
Criticizing Tinubu’s Government
After Tinubu’s victory, she became a sharp critic. In September 2025, she stated his government operates on “Yorubas for Yorubas” principles, criticizing concentration of appointments in southwestern Nigeria. She questioned whether Nigeria was being “vulcanized into ethnic fiefdoms” and warned about authoritarian tendencies. She called him a “regionalist” and cited widespread insecurity as critical failure.
Northern Advocacy
She champions northern development, arguing the region faces systematic marginalization. She chairs Northern Star, addressing insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits. Critics accuse her of tribalism; supporters call her the “Iron Lady of Northern Nigeria.”
Women’s Empowerment
She champions women’s political participation, acknowledging barriers like lack of education among strong women and educated women avoiding politics. Her career demonstrates success despite cultural constraints. She mentors younger women, emphasizing education and integrity.
Controversies
APC dismissed her allegations as fabrications. Afenifere denied ethnic favoritism claims, warning her rhetoric threatens unity. She faces counter-accusations of tribalism. Despite controversies, her decades-long activism lends credibility among supporters.
Conclusion
Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed embodies five decades of fearless activism. From student leadership to political critic, she has never shied from controversy. Her husband’s assassination strengthened her commitment. Whether truth-teller or regionalist, her impact is undeniable. She opened doors for women, challenged power, and forced difficult conversations. At 70, she remains uncompromising in her activism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed?
Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed is a Nigerian politician and activist born in 1956 in Kano State. She became the first female president of the Students’ Union at Ahmadu Bello University and the first female vice president of NANS. She is currently Chair of Northern Star and a prominent critic of President Tinubu’s administration.
Q2: What happened to Nàja’atu Mohammed’s husband?
Her husband, Dr. Bala Mohammed Bauchi, was a political adviser to Governor Abubakar Rimi. He was brutally assassinated on July 10, 1981, while working on implementing controversial political reforms in Kano State. According to Nàja’atu, he was chopped into pieces and burned alive for his political positions.
Q3: Why did Nàja’atu Mohammed resign from Tinubu’s campaign?
She resigned from the APC Presidential Campaign Council in January 2023, weeks before the election. She cited concerns about Tinubu’s health, alleging he had Alzheimer’s and dementia. She also claimed the APC primaries were rigged and that she could no longer participate with a clear conscience given developments in Nigeria’s democratic space.
Q4: What is Nàja’atu Mohammed’s current political affiliation?
She is currently affiliated with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She joined the PDP and endorsed Atiku Abubakar in January 2023 after resigning from Tinubu’s APC campaign. Previously, she was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later the APC.
Q5: What has Nàja’atu Mohammed criticized about Tinubu’s administration?
She has accused Tinubu’s administration of regionalism and ethnic favoritism toward southwestern Nigeria, particularly the Yoruba. She claims federal appointments and infrastructure projects disproportionately favor the southwest. She also criticizes the administration’s handling of security challenges and warns about potential authoritarian tendencies.
Q6: What is the Northern Star organization?
Northern Star is an organization chaired by Nàja’atu Mohammed that advocates for northern Nigerian interests. It focuses on amplifying northern voices in national discourse and addresses challenges facing the region including insecurity, poverty, educational deficits, and political underrepresentation.
Q7: What role did Nàja’atu Mohammed play in the Boko Haram dialogue committee?
She was nominated to serve on the committee responsible for dialogue and reconciliation between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government. Despite the obvious dangers that caused some male members to withdraw, she accepted the role viewing it as an opportunity for nation-building and peace enhancement. She vowed never to pull out, citing religious duty and patriotic obligation.
