Yakubu Mohammed

EARLY LIFE

Yakubu Muhammed (full alias Yakubu Usman Shehu Abubakar El-Nafati) was born on 25 March 1973. Although he was born in Gombe State and spent much of his childhood growing up in Jos, Plateau State, he is originally from Bauchi State. He lost his father at a young age (around nine) and the family later moved to Jos, Plateau State, where he was raised. He grew up in a disciplined home that emphasized respect, self-reliance, hard work, and education. His father, though not wealthy, strongly valued learning as a path to success. In secondary school he was a science student but felt drawn to television and creative writing. He spent time alone writing, which helped develop his storytelling skills. He pursued higher education at the University of Jos (Mass Communication studies) and Bayero University Kano. He has described an unconventional academic path that included challenges such as admission issues at Ahmadu Bello University before settling into mass communication. He entered the film industry while still an undergraduate.

CAREER

Yakubu Muhammed began his professional journey in Kannywood (the Hausa-language film industry) in 1998 as a scriptwriter and behind-the-scenes contributor while still at university. He rose through the ranks as a producer and director, co-founding or working closely with 2Effect / 2 Effect Empire production (often associated with his longtime friend and collaborator Sani Musa Danja). He has produced more than 40 films and directed dozens of successful projects. As a musician he has recorded over 1,000 songs for film soundtracks and albums in both Hausa and English. He made his on-screen acting debut in the 2013 Kannywood film Gabar Cikin Gida alongside Sani Danja. Other Hausa film credits include titles such as Da Kai Zan Gana, Mai Farin Jini, Romeo Da Jamila, Sani Nake So, Shu’uma, Soyayya Da Shakuwa, Kayar Ruwa, and many more. He crossed over to Nollywood (English-language Nigerian cinema) around 2016 with Sons of the Caliphate (as Dikko, alongside Rahama Sadau). Notable English-language and crossover credits include: MTV Shuga Naija (2017) Lionheart (2018, as Hamza Maikano) 4th Republic (2019, as Danladi) Tenant of the House (as Hon. Samuel) Badamasi (2020, as Prof. Jibril Aminu) Love, Lust & Other Things (2023, as Bamaiyi Bako) Beyond the Veil (as Sadiq) The Plan (as Nasiru Koda) Hijack ’93 (2024, as Usman) Allura Cikin Ruwa (as Maina) The Kiss of Death (as Musa) The Suyis (as Danjuma) and additional titles such as Queen Amina, Make Room, Asawana, Fantastic Numbers, Walking Away, My Village Bride, Dark Closet, Damaged Petals, Power of Tomorrow, My Wife’s Lover, Women, Rising: City of Dreams, Invaders, Wedding in Nigeria, Aisha, Ikemba, Kaka, and others. He has appeared in over 100 Hausa films and more than 40 English-language productions. He has served as a brand ambassador for Globacom, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and previously for Nescafe and Starcomms. He is also the publisher of the multi-purpose Abuja-based magazine Noble Icon and has hosted related television content. One of his productions, Jankunne (The Awakening), made for Family Health International with USAID funding, received international notice including coverage in The Wall Street Journal.

PERSONAL LIFE

Yakubu Muhammed is married and has children. He is married to Sadiya Muhammad Booth. Early in his career he deliberately used the surname “Mohammed” for screen credits while working behind the camera so that his family would not immediately recognize him, knowing they would disapprove of a film-industry path. He later explained the choice and received eventual support, particularly from his mother. He is a practicing Muslim and has maintained relative privacy around family details while being open about the importance of education and discipline in his upbringing.

Yakubu Muhammed is a multi-talented figure who has bridged Kannywood and Nollywood while maintaining strong roots in Hausa-language storytelling, music, and production. He has spoken candidly about the toughness of an acting career, the need for discipline, and the value of education instilled by his late father. He maintains close professional and personal ties with collaborators such as Sani Danja. His work spans acting, producing, directing, songwriting, brand ambassadorship, and publishing. He continues to be active in both northern and mainstream Nigerian film industries and remains a recognizable face through high-profile English-language projects and ongoing Hausa productions.