An Educationist, Diplomat & Administrator, Her Excellency, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum was born to two eminent Royal families. Her father, Alhaji Umar Farouq, was the 10th Emir of Katagum, while her mother, Fulani Ulu Binta Bayero, was the daughter of Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, the 10th Emir of Kano.
Our Celebrant obtained her post-secondary education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, Graduate Certificate in Education, M.Ed. in Administration & Planning, and Certificate in Social Development Policy, Planning & Practice.
Amb. Mariam Katagum has varied management experience in the Nigerian public service and within the United Nations System. She joined the Federal Civil Service in 1977 as an Education Officer II and rose to the rank of Director, retiring from service in 2012. Among other postings, she worked as an English Language Teacher at the Federal Scholarship Board, where she sharpened her skills and developed great interest in multi-lateral co-operation in education.
Other critical assignments she undertook include: NATCOM-UNESCO Section in the International Education Branch of the Federal Ministry of Education; Director, Special Projects, National Primary Education Commission/Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); Secretary-General, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO; and Head of Division for National and International Partnerships, Policy Planning, Management and Research Department of the Ministry. In the last-stated capacity, she was extensively involved in several World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) projects.
In 2009, our Celebrant was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, where she served two terms up to 2014 based on her sterling performance. Significant developments recorded during her tenure included: establishment of the UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office in Abuja; establishment of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management in Kaduna and the International Centre for Biotechnology at Nsukka; inscription of the Argungu Fishing Festival on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List; financial and technical support from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to many teacher training institutions; and hosting of the Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF 7) in Nigeria.
Amb. Mariam Katagum was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade & Investment in 2019. In that capacity, she and her counterpart led the promotion of government policies on Ease of Doing Business, job creation, poverty eradication and industrialisation. Furthermore, she championed the cause of Halal Certification in Nigeria to harness the opportunities therein, chaired the Halal Policy Implementation Committee, as well as the Tomato Policy Committee.
She also ensured Nigeria’s effective participation in the Dubai 2020 World Exposition and chaired the Campaign Committee for the election of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Versed in international and multi-lateral negotiations, inter-governmental and policy processes, our Celebrant is the author of the book Ten Years of Stewardship at UNESCO Headquarters, which documents a decade of multi-lateral co-operation, achievements, and personal policy recommendations for the future of collaboration between Nigeria and UNESCO in all its fields of mandate.
A champion of gender equality, girl-child education, and youth empowerment, Amb. Mariam Katagum has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s socio-economic and educational landscapes. Recognition has come from within and outside Nigeria, including the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON); Honorary Fellowship of the Commonwealth of Learning — the first Nigerian woman to be so honoured; and Nigeria’s Vice-President’s Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to the MSME Sector.
She is married with children.
Ladies & Gentlemen, we proudly invite Her Excellency, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, to receive the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award for Excellence in Leadership and Good Governance.
Hearty Congratulations, Your Excellency!