Dominic Gambo Yahaya (born January 10, 1950) is the current Paramount Ruler of the Atyap Chiefdom, a traditional state in Southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. He holds the title Agwatyap III.
Early Life and Education
Yahaya was born in Taligan, Atyapland, in the defunct Northern Region of British Nigeria (now Southern Kaduna State) on 10 January 1950.
Primary Education:
St. Pius' (now LEA) Primary School, Taligan (Magamia), 1958–1964Secondary Education:
St. Mary's (now Government) Secondary School, Fadan Kaje, 1965–1969
Barewa College, Zaria, 1970–1971Tertiary Education:
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria- B.Sc. (Hons) in Geography, Second Class Upper Division, 1975
- M.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning, 1979
He also attended several courses, workshops, and seminars both within Nigeria and internationally.
Marriage: Married Miss Justina on November 30, 1979.
Career
Civil Service and Urban Planning
- 1976: Joined the Kaduna State Government
- 1977: Town Planning Officer II
- 1987: Chief Town Planning Officer
- 1989: Director, Town and Country Planning
- 1990–1993: General Manager, KASUPDA (Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority)
Political Administration
- 1994–1996: Caretaker Chairman, Kaduna North Local Government Area
- 1996–1998: Director, Town and Country Planning, Bureau for Lands, Surveys and Country Planning
Permanent Secretary Roles
- 1999–2000: Ministry of Water Resources
- 2000–2001: Ministry of Works and Transportation
- 2001–2003: Public Service Office, Head of Service Commission
- 2003–2010: Office of the Head of Service, State House, Kawo
(Retired from civil service on January 10, 2010)
Post-Retirement Roles
- 2011–2012: Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Zangon Kataf LGA
- Member, Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
Memberships and Professional Affiliations
- Town Planning Registration Council of Nigeria (de facto member since 1989)
- Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (FNITP)
- Registered Town Planner
Awards and Honours
- National Productivity Merit Award, 1991
- Knight of Saint Mulumba (KSM)
- Papal Knight of St. Gregory, conferred by Pope Francis, 2023
State Detention (1992)
Following the Zangon Kataf disturbances of May 1992, Yahaya was one of at least 21 Atyap individuals arrested and detained under Decree 2 of 1984 without trial.
He was held in a special group alongside: - Maj. Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd.) - ACP Juri Babang Ayok (rtd.) - Major John Atomic Kude (rtd.) - Peter Lekwot - Bala Ade Dauke (then District Head and later Agwatyap I)
Enthronement as Agwatyap III
Following the demise of Agwatyap II, Harrison Bungwon, Yahaya was chosen as his successor.
He was officially handed the staff of office on Saturday, November 12, 2016, by the Governor of Kaduna State at the Atak Njei Palace.
Jumma Yahaya Gambo Foundation
In November 2023, Yahaya launched the Jumma Yahaya Gambo Foundation to support educational needs of victims of attacks by Fulani terrorists in Atyap Chiefdom.