TEDxZaria

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Abdul'ahad Dalhat

  Poet artist

  Abdul’ahad Dalhat is a spoken word poet, public speaker, and passionate climate change activist. He holds a BA in English Language from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He performed in national stages like the National Stadium, Abuja, Kaduna Slam Party, Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation, Nigeria, and more. He won the NASELS ABU Spoken Word Contest in 2020 and is a two-time winner of the national poetry competition organized by the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation (2022 and 2023, 1st Runner Up and Winner respectively). In 2023, he was named Spoken Word Artiste of the Year by the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation, Kaduna. Abdul’ahad is also a 2024 fellow of True My Voice, Nigeria, where he participated in the workshop on the art of Storytelling and Digital advocacy. In 2025, he joined the Leadership School of Communication as a faculty member, where he teaches Public Speaking and Communications.

• Badamasi Aliyu Andullahi

  Entrepreneur

  Badamasi Aliyu Abdullahi is a certified, accredited and licensed National Business Development Service Provider BDSP, a certified trainer, Youth Development Consultant, writer who helps micro, small and medium sized businesses to start, grow and expand their businesses. He is a Presidential Award Winning entrepreneur in the Youth With Enterprise and Innovation in Nigeria, Youwin Programme. He's a Co-founder of Eco Fertilizer - an organic compost fertilizer production company in Kano, founder of Founder Dogaro Da Kai Hub and founder of Dogaro Da Kai Conference, the first annual business conference in Nigeria that's hosted in Hausa Language. He is a TEDx Speaker, an alumnus of Kaduna Business School, a member of Junior Chamber International JCI and a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors ANA Kano. He is the host of Likitan Sana'a (Business Doctor), a popular radio programme at Nasara Radio, 98.5 FM, Kano.

• Buhari Aliyu

  Entrepreneur

  Buhari Aliyu is a Project Manager and passionate tech educator with over a decade of experience empowering youth through entrepreneurship and digital skills. In 2014, he founded KICT-HUB with a mission to demystify and democratize access to technology education in Northern Nigeria—training over 20,000 students to date. He is the co-founder of Skillup Arewa, an open educational resource platform that localizes world-class knowledge into Hausa, making learning accessible to millions. Buhari holds a degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, a Certificate of Specialization in Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, and studied Entrepreneurship at Draper University, California. As a Udemy instructor, his courses have reached more than 57,000 students worldwide. His contributions to technology education have earned him the Taskira Newspaper Award of Excellence, and in 2021, he was one of only 60 young entrepreneurs globally selected for the DraperU Hero Training in Silicon Valley.

• Dr. Usman Hayatu Mazadu

  Chrasmatic public servant and a Mentor

  Charismatic Public Servant and a Mentor Dr. Usman Hayatu Mazadu is a charismatic leader, strategic thinker, and a public servant who is currently serving as the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA). Dr. Mazadu’s academic journey reflects his dedication to excellence and continuous growth. He graduated from Al-Qalam University, Katsina, in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Computer Science. In June 2018, he obtained an MSc in Management Information Systems from Cyprus International University, North Cyprus and a PhD in Information Technology from Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, Maradi, in 2023. To further complement his global outlook, he earned an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from ESTM Berlin, Germany, in 2024.

• Hafsat Shehu

  Artist

  Hafsat Shehu is a talented Hausa artist known for her soulful voice and captivating performances that celebrate Northern Nigerian culture. Through her music, she blends tradition with modern expression, inspiring audiences with meaningful lyrics and a unique style. With a growing fan base, Hafsat continues to use her art as a tool for storytelling, empowerment, and cultural pride.

• Halima Jibril Usman

  Chef

  Halima is a talented blind chef whose passion for cooking turns simple ingredients into unforgettable meals. She inspires others by proving that determination and creativity know no limits."

• Muhammad Shamsudeen Ibrahim

  Climate change education

  Muhammad Shamsudeen is a seasoned resilience and international development professional with over seven years of experience in policy, environmental governance, climate change education and community resilience. He has successfully led donor funded projects focusing on climate change mobility, policy advocacy, and sustainable development across Africa. Muhammad design strategic programs that enhance the adaptive capacity of climate vulnerable regions, particularly through data analyst, research publications, and capacity building workshops for civil society organisations and frontline communities.

• Sa'adatu Mohammed

  Advocates for drug abuse

  Sa’adatu Mohammad Founder, BAFASA Hope Foundation | Advocate for Drug Recovery & Mental Health Sa’adatu Mohammad is a fearless voice for healing and transformation. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming drug dependence, she founded BAFASA Hope Foundation, a movement dedicated to empowering youth — especially women — to break free from silence, stigma, and addiction. Through advocacy, storytelling, and community outreach, she blends lived experience with compassion, creating safe spaces for recovery and hope. Her mission is simple yet profound: turning pain into purpose and helping others do the same.

• Shamsudeen Abdullahi

  Physically challenged person and also Disability advocate

  Shamsuddeen Abdullahi (physically challenged), graduate of Nuhu Bamalli Poly, MSc in view at De Montfort University, Leicester; Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Affairs, Kaduna State; Technologists 1 FUE Zaria; Organising Secretary in the Jonapwd Kaduna chapter; Financial Secretary, PHAN Kaduna chapter Former physically challenged leader in the NYCN Kaduna chapter. Disability advocate. Entrepreneur In every disability there is ability. Growing up in northern Nigeria as a person with disabilities, you will face a lot of discrimination, limitations, and perceptions, all because of your disability.

• Usman Nuruddeen

  Clinical pharmacist

  Dr. Nuruddeen Usman is a pharmacist and academic with over a decade of progressive experience in pharmacy practice, academia, and healthcare consultancy. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; a Master’s degree (M.Pharm.) and a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he combines teaching, research, and student mentorship. His core academic and research interests include pharmaceutical care, pharmacotherapy, biostatistics, public health, and health outcomes research.Beyond the university, Dr. Usman has served in consultancy and ad hoc roles with organizations such as the Malaria Consortium, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly in areas of public health logistics, vaccine accountability, and malaria commodity management.

• Zainab Baba Aliyu

  Journalist

  Zainab Baba Aliyu is a skilled multimedia journalist, producer, and climate communicator dedicated to using storytelling as a tool for impact. With over six years of experience in broadcast media, she serves as a climate change producer and presenter at Arewa24, where she translates complex environmental issues into engaging stories for Northern Nigerian audiences. She holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Bayero University Kano and has contributed to national projects in media, gender advocacy, and the creative economy. Her work includes producing climate-focused content, facilitating expert interviews, and supporting and volunteering for the ShesIncluded Gender Conference.She believes media is a catalyst for social change and is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices.