Her Excellency Mrs. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum was born in Azare, Bauchi State on 18th November, 1954. She is the Nigerian Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). She is the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment.

Educational Background

Mariam Katagum obtained a Bachelors Degree in English and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1976.

In 1985, Katagum obtained a masters degree in Administration and Planning from the University of Lagos.

In 1999, Katagum obtained a Certificate in Social Development Policy, Planning and Practice from the University College, London.

Career

After graduation from school, Mariam Katagum proceeded to Water Board, Jos for her National Youth Service.

In 1977, Katagum moved to Federal Government College, Azare where she worked as a Senior Education Officer.

In 1981, she was employed at the Federal Scholarship Board, Lagos, where she worked till 1984.

In 1985, she was transferred to Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO where she worked till the year 2000. While working at UNESCO, Mariam Katagum rose to the position of Sector Secretary in the Social and Human Sciences Sector.

Mariam Katagum was appointed the Director for Special Projects at the National Primary Education Commission in Abuja in 2000.

In 2001, she was appointed the Secretary General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO

In 2006, Mariam Karagum was given the additional responsibility of supervising the National and International Partnerships Division of the Federal Ministry of Education. She worked closely with other agencies such as United Nations International Children Emergency Fund(UNICEF), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), World Bank, UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth of Learning (COL), as well as national and international Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), NGOs and FBOs.

In June 2009, Mariam Katagum was appointed Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO and she assumed office in August 2009.

Between 2009-2013, Mariam Katagum served as a number of national and international Committees and Panels

In July 2019, Mariam Katagum was appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari as the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment. Katagum advocates implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Awards and Membership

H.E. Mrs. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, was a member, representing the Federal Ministry of Education in the Governing Councils of the Kaduna Polytechnic, Federal University of Technology, Minna, the University of Lagos.

She was a member of the Inter-ministerial Committee for School Health, and the National Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In 1999, She was awarded a UNESCO Fellowship.