Meet Dr Garba Iliya, NEDC Executive Director, Administration & Finance
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of a former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management in Yobe State, Dr Garba Iliya, as the Executive Director of Administration & Finance for the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Dr Garba Iliya (FNMGS, FNAH, FNATE) was born on 2nd October, 1962, in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, North East Nigeria.
Dr Iliya is a seasoned administrator per excellence and professional Hydrogeologist/Geophysicist with over 30 years experience in Administration, Resource Mobilisation, Agriculture and Water Resources Management, Mining & Disaster management.
Rising through the ranks up to the position of Managing Director, Chad Basin Development Authority, Dr Iliya has acquired wide range of experience across multiple sectors. Trained as a PhD, the top pinnacle in academics and having interacted with the finest global minds.
Dr Iliya has over the years contributed to research, development and community service both at home and abroad. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Geophysics,1996 from Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST) Port Harcourt, an MSc in Geology, 1989 from the University of Calabar and a BSc in Geology, 1985 from UNIMAID.
He holds a Professional Diploma in Integrated Water Resources Management from the Water Resources Research & Documentation Centre, University for Foreigners, Perugia, Italy in 2003.
He is a two time President, Nigerian Association of Hydro geologists (NAH).
Dr Iliya is a Fellow, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), Nigerian Association of Hydro geologists (FNAH), and Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (FNATE). He is also an Honorary Fellow, International Association of Hydrogeologists (FIAH).
He served as the MD/CEO Chad Basin Development Authority Maiduguri from 4th January 2006- 2015.
Dr Iliya was the GM/CEO, Yobe State Water Corporation from 2004-2006. He also served as the GM/CEO, Yobe State, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency from 2000-2004. He was also the GM/CEO Yobe State Water Board from 1995-1999.
Dr lliya currently is the Technical Expert (Nigeria) of the Lake Chad Basin Comm, Ndjamena from 2004 till Date.
Dr Iliya was a Deputy Dean, School of Environmental Sciences (SES), FUT, Yola from 1990-1992. He also served as the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUT, Yola Branch (1990-1991).
Until his appointment as Executive Director Administration & Finance NEDC, Dr AG Iliya was the Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management, Yobe State.
Dr lliya is a member, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers, and Geoscientists, the Secretary Ministerial Policy Advisory Committee, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and a Consultant to the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. Lagos, and MD/CEO Chad Basin Development Authority, Maiduguri.
As a Commissioner MHADM in Yobe State, Dr Iliya coordinated humanitarian, NGOs and various partners interventions and disaster preparedness and response. Under his watch, the ministry piloted the implementation of various interventions through UNDP Regional Stabilisation, UNICEF, UNOCHA, Save the Children, IOM, Operation Safe Corridor, LAVA Irrigation Project, etc.
Dr Iliya has well over 20 publications to his credit dated from 1985 to date. He has attended several national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Dr lliya is a widely travelled gentleman. He is married with children.
With a PhD, and an over 30 years experience in public service, with recent active involvement in post-conflict reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement (RRR), the appointment of Dr Abubakar Garba Iliya as the Executive Director Administration and Finance North East Development Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clearly defines the saying “a square peg in a square hole”.
As you join the board and management of the Commission to represent Yobe State, it is our hope that working with Governor Mai Mala Buni, you will bring to bear your experience to ensure that the Commission achieves its key mandate in the next weeks, months and years to come.
