Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa: Life story, career achievements of N-HYPPADEC boss

Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa is an accomplished Nigerian administrator, politician, and financial manager.

He is the Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) and has been reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second and final four-year term.

Profile summary

Name: Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa

Date of birth: March 14th, 1958

Place of birth: Kebbi

Education: Bayero University, Kano

Religion: Islam

Marital status: Married

Career: Politican

Background

A native of Yauri, a riverine community in southern Kebbi State, Sadiq Yelwa was born on March 14, 1958.

He began his education at Government Teachers College, Zuru from 1976 to 1981 before obtaining an NCE in Accounting from the Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi from 1981 to 1985.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in 1990, followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano, in 1992.

Career path

His career started as a lecturer at the Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi between 1986 and 1992 before he joined the Ministry of Finance, rising to the rank of Director in 1992.

He later served as Kebbi State Controller for the African Development Bank from 1993 to 2000.

In the private sector, he held leadership positions as Managing Director and Chairman of Sandrosoft Nig. Ltd, Leawax Petroleum Ltd, and Leawax Farms Kaduna, with interests spanning energy, property development, investment, agriculture, construction, and engineering. He also heads A.S. Farms Ltd, Yauri.

In public service, Yelwa served as Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Commissioner for Works and Transportation in Kebbi State between 2000 and 2008.

He was also Chief of Staff at the Federal Capital Territory Authority.

Recognitions

Yelwa was recently honoured with an Award of Excellence by the Abuja FCT 1 Branch of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) during the 2024 ANAN Week Dinner & Award held at AGNL Event Center, Gudu, Abuja.

The award recognised his outstanding leadership, humanitarian contributions, dedication to service, and entrepreneurial drive.

He was represented at the ceremony by his Special Assistant on Finance, Alhaji Garba Umar Suru, alongside staff from the Abuja liaison office.

He is also a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Carolina and All Saints University, USA, and holds the traditional title of Katukan Yauri.

Family

Away from public life, Yelwa is a devoted family man.

He is married and blessed with children, and he often credits his family for their unwavering support throughout his career.

Appointments

Appointed as Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) in November 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa has dedicated his tenure to addressing the ecological problems facing hydroelectric power-producing communities.

Under his leadership, the commission has trained and empowered over 4,000 youths in various trades, tackled insecurity, and worked to improve healthcare services in the affected areas.

In 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed Yelwa’s appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of N-HYPPADEC for a second and final four-year term, recognising his continued commitment to service and community development.