Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, CON.

Inna Maryam Ciroma, CON, was born on September 11, 1954, in Biu, Borno State, Nigeria. She began her education at Biu Primary School (1961–1967) and proceeded to Government Girls Secondary School in Maiduguri, where she completed her secondary education in 1972. She then attended the School of Basic Studies at Abdullahi Bayero College (ABC/ABU) in Kano (1973–1975) before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1978. In 1981, she furthered her studies by completing a Postgraduate Diploma at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Topo Badagry, Lagos.

Inna’s career began with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Kaduna State Civil Service in 1979, followed by a brief stint with NTA Kaduna. She then joined the Federal Civil Service Commission as an Administrative Officer, serving from 1979 to 1985, after which she transitioned to business activities, where she has been active to date. In the political arena, she contested the senatorial primaries for the Borno South Senatorial Zone in 2002, and was subsequently appointed as the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, serving from 2005 to 2007. She also held the roles of PDP National Woman Leader (2008–2012) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Insurance Company (NICON) in 2011. In addition, she served as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) from 2003 to 2005 and is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.

In recognition of her service, Inna Maryam Ciroma was awarded the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2012.