Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad ABUBAKAR was born on 24^th August, 1956 at Sokoto, Sokoto State. He attended Sultan Ward Primary School, Sokoto and Barewa College, Zaria before proceeding to Nigerian Defence Academy, for the 18^th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 17^th December 1977 into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps. He retired as Brigadier General on December 30^th, 2006 after 31 years service in the military, upon appointment as Sultan of Sokoto.

He attended various professional courses and seminar in Nigeria and abroad, the highest being the Senior Executive Course No. 28 at National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) between February to November, 2006. The title of his research paper at NIPSS, is Religious Extremism As a National Security Problem: Strategies for Sustainable Solutions.

During his military career, he held various appointments in Command and Staff positions, the key ones being at African Unity (AU) Peacekeeping Operations in Chad Republic, 1981; 201 Presidential Security Unit 1987/1988; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat as Military Liaison Officer, 1995-1999; ECOWAS Operations in Sierra Leone as Commander 1999-2000; and Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to Pakistan with concurrent accreditation to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States, February 2003 to February 2006.

He is the Chancellor of University of Ibadan, the President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), The President-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Leader of Nigerian Muslims, Co-Chairman of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council; Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, etc. His is a recipient of honorary degrees from University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, University of Abuja, Usmanu Danfodio University, Lagos State University, Anambra State University, Crescent University, Fountain University, Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Kwararafa University and Igbinedion University.

During his military service, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar was decorated with Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Silver Jubilee Medal (SJM), General Service Medal (GSM), OAU Medal (Chad) and ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Medal (Sierra Leone). He was conferred with the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces in 2007. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar is married with children.