Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba was born on 28th July, 1938 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.

He attended Government Primary School, Auchi where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate in 1949, Western Boys’ High School, Benin City, 1950-1952, Hussy College, Warri where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1955 and Emergence Science School, now School of Science, Lagos from 1958 to 1959.

Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba in quest of higher education proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka and bagged his first degree BA. (Hons.) Political Science in 1965, LL.B. (Hons.) in 1983 from University of Lagos, Lagos and BL. (Hons.) in 1984 from the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He attended several Seminars and Workshops within and outside Nigeria.

He started his working career in the public sector as a teacher in Modern School, Auchi from 1956 – 1957, Clerk/Cashier, Barclays Bank now Union Bank PLC, Lagos and Ibadan from 1957 – 1961, Higher Information Officer, Federal Ministry of Information, Lagos from 1965 – 1966.

He was a Press Secretary to the Head of State from 1971 – 1972, Senior Assistant Secretary, Administration, State House 1972-1975, Director, Protocol and Transport in the Cabinet office, 1975, Secretary Finance and Administration, Steel Department, Cabinet office, 1980-1984,  Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Presidency from 1986 – 1989, Director-General (Permanent Secretary) and Secretary, Army, Navy and Airforce Commands, Ministry of Defence, (1989-1990), Director-General, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Abuja, (1990-1992);

He climaxed his working career in the public sector as a Director-General (Permanent Secretary), Federal Ministry of Commerce and Tourism, 1992 – 1994.  He was also a Legal/Business Consultant, Hazik Garuba & Co., Lagos, Nigeria (1994-1999).  In 1999, he was appointed as an Ambassador, Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa, Canada.  He was also Ambassador at different times in New York, Germany and Switzerland.  He was a distinguished Diplomat.

Other positions held by Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba were:-

• Member, Nigeria Enterprises Promotion Board (1977-1980).
• Member, Delta Steel Company Board (1981-1984).
• Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry, Nigeria Paper Mill, Iwopin (1984).
• Director, Board of Nigeria Defence Academy (1989-1990).
• Member, Corporate Affairs Commission (1992-1994).
• Member, Trade Fair Complex (1992-1994).
• Member, Board of Nigeria Export Processing Zone (1992-1994).
• Member, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (1992-1994).
• Member, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (1992-1994).
• Member, Nigeria Export Import Bank (1992-1994).
• Director, Defence Industries Corporation (1989-1990).
• Governor of Commodity Fund, UNCTAD (1990-1992)
• Chairman, Administrative Committee of the International Cocoa Organization for the Negotiation of the Fifth International Cocoa Agreement (1990-1992).
• Chairman, Africa Oilfield Services Limited (1994-1998).
• Director, African Oilfield Services Limited (1998 – present date).
• Principal Partner, Hakiz, Garuba & Co. (Firm of Legal and Business Consultants), (1994 – present date).
• Member, Nigeria Bar association (1984-present date.).
• Member, International Bar Association (1991-present date).
• Notary Public

Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba has travelled to many numbers of countries in Africa, Europe, America, Middle East and Asia.  He plays squash, listens to music and reads materials on various subject-matters at his leisure hours.

With this very rich Curriculum Vitae, there is no doubt, that, the cap best fits the amiable and dynamic Amb. Abdul-Aziz Garuba as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of our great University.

We congratulate him on his new appointment and wish him and his team a successful tenure in office.


Chris Adamaigbo, KSC
Deputy Registrar, Information/Public Relations Officer