Ahmed Aliyu Wadada’s Journey From Banking & Business to the Senate

General Nov 11, 2025 0 1 Add to Reading List

Ahmed Aliyu Wadada from Keffi has carved a path defined by bold moves and shifting allegiances and now stands as Senator for Nasarawa West.

Who Is Ahmed Aliyu Wadada?

Ahmed Aliyu Wadada is a Nigerian politician currently serving as the Senator for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District. He is known for switching from the APC to the SDP, pulling off an upset win in 2023, and recently signalling a return to the APC fold.

His Profile Summary

Field	Details
Full Name	Ahmed Aliyu Wadada
Date of Birth / Age	15 October 1964 (≈ 61 in 2025)
State of Origin	Nasarawa State
Local Government Area	Keffi LGA
Tribe/Ethnicity	Gbagyi (widely cited)
Religion	Islam
Marital Status	Married (multiple wives)
Political Party	Initially, APC, then joined SDP and formally returned to APC by Sept 2025.
Current Position	Senator, Nasarawa West Senatorial District
Years Active in Politics	Since at least 2003 (House of Reps)
Net Worth (Estimated)	~US$1 million (media estimate)

Ahmed Wadada's Early Life and Education

Wadada was born on 15 October 1964 in Keffi, Keffi LGA, Nasarawa State. His early education took place locally and then at Government Secondary School, Miango, in Plateau State, where he obtained his West African School Certificate.

He proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, earning a National Diploma in Business Administration in 1987 and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration & Management in 1993.

His Career Before Politics

Before fully engaging in politics, Wadada worked in banking and business:

Senior Clerk at United Bank for Africa (UBA) in the early 1990s.
Procurement Officer during his NYSC at Benue Cement Company, Gboko.
Distribution Manager at Kano Tobacco Distribution Company around 1996‑97.

These experiences gave him administrative experience and exposure to business and logistics operations.

Ahmed Aliyu Wadada's Political Career

His Entry into Politics

In 2003, Wadada made the move into elective politics when he won a seat in the House of Representatives representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency.

This marked the first major shift: from business operator to public office holder. His time in the lower chamber gave him the base and visibility he needed.

His Major Political Roles

His trajectory since then reflects strategy, ambition and opportunism:

House of Representatives (2003–2011+): For multiple years, he held the federal legislative seat and built name recognition, constituency ties and a political network.
Switch of Party / Senatorial Bid (2022‑23): While once in the ruling APC, Wadada left, citing irregular primaries in his senatorial contest, moved to the SDP, and then won the Nasarawa West seat in February 2023. This was widely seen as a major upset in a zone considered the domain of the APC.
Senator for Nasarawa West (2023‑Present): In the 10th National Assembly, Wadada currently serves under the SDP banner (though his return to APC has been formally signalled).

His Achievements and Impact

“The coast is now clearer than ever that Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has secured the overwhelming support of the APC family … making him eligible to contest for any position, including the governorship.”

On the political front, he has not shied away from stirring debate: In a 2 November 2025 commentary, he declared zoning “is not part and parcel of my politics” while stressing the need for merit.

He also publicly cautioned against seasonal politicians at his Keffi Polo Ranch gathering, rewarding loyal supporters with ₦20 million and emphasising that “true leadership should be built on competence, vision, and verifiable achievements rather than empty promises.”