Born into a family of religious scholars (his grandfather was the Chief Imam of Kafin-Hausa) in Kafin-Hausa town of Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Mallam Namadi started his education at Kafin Hausa Central Primary School (along with the traditional Qur’anic and Islamiyya education) from where he proceeded to Mallam Madori Teachers College where he obtained his Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1982.

In 1984, he sat for an A Level Certificate examination and passed with good grades, aiding him secured admission for undergraduate studies at the Bayero University, Kano where he graduated with a BSc in Accounting in 1987, and later, bagged an MBA from the same institution.

After graduation, Mallam Umar Namadi served a mandatory scheme, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Makurdi, Benue State, where he worked as an Audit Assistant at Egwu Oga & Co. auditing firm. Between 1988 and 1994, he held various positions working with an auditing firm Abdu Abdurrahim & Co. Chartered Accountants, based in Kano, which includes Audit Management and Consultancy Services.

He worked briefly at the National Board for Community Banks where he held the rank of Principal Inspection Officer and moved to Kaduna Textiles Limited where he served in various capacities.

As his career progressed, Mallam Umar moved to the Dangote Group of Companies where he rose from the rank of Assistant General Manager of Finance to occupy a higher position of Financial Controller in both the Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote Group.

After a stint in the private sector, he deployed his expertise and experience to the public sector. Between 2006 and 2013, he worked with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as a General Manager of Finance & Accounts and General Manager of Contribution Management Department.

Afterward, he left the public service to delve into business and private practice, holding positions as Managing Partner Namadi, Umar & Co. Chartered Accountants; Chairman/CEO Danmodi Food Processing Limited (Rice Millers); and Chairman/CEO Danmodi Farms Limited.

Before his ascension as the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State in 2019, Mallam Umar Namadi had served as Commissioner of Finance and Economic planning in the state from 2015-2019 where he championed several innovations in the management of the state’s finances, improving the efficiency and transparency.

Mallam Namadi’s career in both the public and private sectors as well as in the political realms has been marked by his resourcefulness, high-level adherence to ethics, and persistence in following the rules and doing the right things. This stands him out as an incorruptible, honest, and hardworking professional wherever he works.

Fondly called ‘Mallam’ – a reverence for his humility, punctuality, and dedication to work –  he has been known for his unflinching desire to support and uplift the lives of ordinary people through employment, skills empowerment, and various philanthropic activities which he has been undertaking for years.

The most remarkable thing about Mallam Namadi is his uprightness and dedication to service; he has garnered for himself an unblemished record of service and devotion to his community. He worked as a primary school teacher in his locality before venturing out into other, bigger fields of endeavor – all with an aim to help his people. In fact, Mallam Namadi’s concerns for the betterment of his people’s lives is the primary motivation for his active participation in politics.

For instance, one of the fruits of his investments, Danmodi Foods Processing Ltd – the first private rice milling company in Jigawa state – has provided employment opportunities to numerous youths in the state. Also, he was the first person to introduce the out-grower scheme program in the state long before the adoption of a similar scheme at the federal level by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party. One significant impact of this scheme is that it helped attract people back to the farm through the introduction of new farming methods and modern farm implements, especially Kafin Hausa, Auyo and Hadejia axis.

He set up the first educational foundation in the history of Kafin-Hausa (alongside his younger brother Dr. Abdullahi Namadi) under which he sponsors the education of thousands of less privileged youths in the area and beyond.

As Commissioner of Finance, he facilitated the adoption and implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in the state for transparent and accountable revenue management, making Jigawa State the fourth in the country to implement the system. Also, it was under him that, for the first time, the state’s financial statements started to be prepared by the staff of the ministry, a departure from the way of the previous administrations. He made sure contractors no longer have to follow up before they receive payment for their services, and they don’t have to pay anything as kickback. A repository of humility and trustworthiness, Mallam Umar Namadi is a consummate personality complete with leadership skills and qualities.

Being a dynamic and dedicated leader, has achieved a significant milestone in his political career by securing the position of Governor of Jigawa state, under a platform of APC. Known for his unwavering commitment to public service and a proven track record of accomplishments, Malam Umar’s election marks a new chapter in the state’s governance. His ascendancy to this prestigious position reflects the trust and confidence that the citizens have placed in his leadership, and he stands poised to lead the state towards a prosperous and harmonious future.