Theme: Reclaiming the Future

Katagum stands on the shoulders of a remarkable history of an era shaped by visionary leaders - the likes of Malam Zaki, who led with great courage and love for the people - vibrant culture, industrious people, and the richness of natural and intellectual resources. we host a historic trade routes and cultural resilience including agricultural ingenuity. Katagum’s legacy is one of dignity, innovation, and community strength.

In this spirit, Reclaiming the Future invites us to look inward and backward - not with nostalgia, but with purpose. It is a call to harness the wisdom and glory of our past to inform and inspire bold, future-facing ideas. We hope to bridge heritage with forward-thinking innovation and chart a path of progress, pride, and prosperity.

The theme challenges young minds, creative thinkers, and local changemakers to unlock the untapped potential of our people and place - to reimagine systems, disrupt outdated norms, and ignite a renaissance powered by technology, art, enterprise, education, and social innovation. Reclaiming the Future is about owning our narrative, designing our destiny, and building a tomorrow that reflects the greatness embedded in our roots.

At TEDxKatagum, we celebrate those who are not only asking “What’s next?” but also, “What do we bring with us?” This is our moment to rise - together.

Ninads Event & Conference Centre
Jama'are Road, Bye-Pass Opposite Open University, Azare
Katagum, Bauchi, 000234
Nigeria

Aishatu Kabir

Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Delivery and Coordination

Dr. Aishatu Kabir is an economist and public policy governance specialist. She currently serves as Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, critically ensuring effective implementation of the Federal Government's priority projects. Holding a Ph.D., M.Sc., and first-class B.Sc. in Economics from Nile University of Nigeria, her career spans top consulting firms like Deloitte and KPMG, specializing in public sector strategy and trade. Previously, as Special Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, she shaped key national policies including the Trade Policy, Dairy Policy, Investment Policy, and Automotive Industry Development Plan. A passionate advocate for education and youth empowerment. Dedicated to impactful policy, leadership, and inspiring future generations, she works across government, academia, and non-profits.

Amina Abubakar

Founder, Disability Dignity

Born with Tibial Hemimelia, she has firsthand experience navigating a world often not designed with accessibility in mind. These challenges have shaped her passion for fostering inclusive communities and advocating for innovative solutions that improve the lives of people with disabilities. She is a photographer, advocate, and certified disability inclusion facilitator. Through her work, she promotes inclusivity and challenges ableism, ensuring equal access to opportunities, resources, and social connections for all. Her mission is to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, dismantle systemic barriers, and advance inclusive practices. She focuses on raising awareness about accessibility and promoting stakeholder engagement in creating equitable environments that benefit everyone.

Hamza Idris Yana

University Lecturer

Yana is a young professional in acadia and research . His academic journey culminated in earning a PhD from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Sule Lamido University, contributing significantly to academia through his dedicated teaching and research efforts. Alongside his professional role, he has consistently embodied an entrepreneurial spirit, describing himself as an "entrepreneurial student" throughout his life's path. He successfully navigated significant financial challenges that often impede others, attributing his achievements to unwavering perseverance and resourcefulness. Believing his life story resonates widely, he actively uses it as a platform to inspire. By sharing his experiences of overcoming obstacles through sheer determination, he aims to motivate audiences to aspire for greatness despite the difficulties they may face

Haris Aliyu Hardo

Co-Founder and Executive Director, United Front Africa

Haris is a social entrepreneur and community development advocate with a deep commitment to social accountability, poverty reduction, and climate action. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of United Front Africa, a youth-led nonprofit, he works to promote sustainable peace and development in Northeast Nigeria. In this role, he develops innovative solutions, manages impactful projects, and builds systems that protect communities and enhance livelihoods. He actively raises awareness on climate change and advocates for inclusive environmental governance. He promotes meaningful stakeholder participation in climate mitigation, nature-based solutions, and energy transition policies. His work is rooted in empowering communities, fostering collaboration, and driving sustainable development initiatives that respond to urgent global challenges.

Ibrahim Agboola Gambari

Professor and Public Servant

Ibrahim Agboola Gambari is a renowned scholar, diplomat, and global leader in international relations and conflict resolution. He earned his BSc from the London School of Economics in 1968, and his MA and PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. He has held key academic roles at Kwara State University, Bayero University, Crescent University, and Philomath University. A former Minister of External Affairs (1984–1985) and Nigeria’s longest-serving UN Ambassador (1990–1999), he later served as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari (2020–2023). At the UN, he was Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa, Head of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur, and more. He holds honorary doctorates from top institutions and was awarded CFR (Nigeria) and the Order of OR Tambo (South Africa). Founder of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development, Professor Gambari is a respected author and voice in global peace, governance, and development.

Maijidda Labo Mahuta

Founder, Healing Roots Initiative

Founder of the Healing Roots Initiative, a renowned NGO raising grassroots mental health awareness, Maijidda studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She is a seasoned emotional intelligence expert, therapist, and life coach committed to empowering individuals. Known for creating mental health content in both Hausa and English, she passionately advocates for self-care. As founder of THRYV with Jyda, THRYV Ladies Club, and THRYV Book Club, she is dedicated to helping individuals thrive. Through group discussions, awareness campaigns, and personal coaching, she promotes peaceful and fulfilling living - one conversation at a time. She is equally committed to learning and avid reader of personal development, with a strong belief in the power of emotional intelligence, she not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures a culture of learning and unlearning for both personal and community transformation.

Maryam Bello

Ambassador, UN Global Concept

Shaped by personal experiences of overcoming adversity, Maryam is fueled by a deep belief in the power of purpose and the potential to contribute meaningfully to Africa's development. Raised in an environment where failure was often expected, she chose instead to believe in possibility. Her mission is to inspire others from underprivileged backgrounds to understand that while setbacks are inevitable, it is the belief in one’s ability to succeed that makes all the difference. She lives by the mantra: “If you believe you can, you are already on the path to achieving it.”

Mustapha Shehu

Executive Secretary, Katsina State Development Board

Mustapha Shehu, PhD, is a development expert with over 18 years of experience in the development sector and civil service. He has spent more than a decade supporting education sector planning and monitoring the implementation of education and social service projects across Nigerian states. He is an advocate for gender equity, life skills for young people, and ethical leadership. He is an alumnus of several programs including Leading Change for Organisational Transformation, Executing Strategy for Results, Next Generation Digital Strategy, and High Performance People Skills at London Business School. He also studied Early Childhood Care Education at the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Paris. He has served as M&E Specialist and Project Coordinator at UNICEF, and held leadership roles with UNFPA and the Educate A Child (EAC) Qatar Foundation. He is currently the State Project Coordinator of the AGILE Project and Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board.