Barrister Jamila Babuba’s journey is a testament to her passion for justice, advocacy, and gender equality. Growing up in Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, she was deeply influenced by her parents—her father, a retired journalist, and her mother, a former Clerk of the Adamawa State House of Assembly. These influences shaped her early interest in public service and human rights. She pursued a law degree at the University of Maiduguri and later attended the Nigerian Law School in Abuja, laying the foundation for a distinguished legal career. With about 25 years of professional experience, Babuba has made significant contributions to the legal field, particularly at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, where she served as both an Estate Management Officer and a Legal Officer. Her dedication and expertise have positioned her for further advancement, and by 2026, she is set to assume the role of Deputy Director in her field.
Babuba has consistently championed women’s rights throughout her career. Her collaboration with UN Women and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development played a crucial role in advocating for the Adamawa Equal Opportunities Bill, designed to establish gender parity in the state. Her work in raising awareness and promoting the bill highlights her commitment to fostering a more equitable society.Beyond her professional achievements, Babuba made headlines in 2021 when she married Adam Modibbo. While there were public claims that she was 45 years old at the time and that her husband was 23, these assertions were a misrepresentation of the facts. Born in 1978, Babuba was younger than the alleged age, and her husband was not less than 30 years old at the time of their marriage. The misinformation surrounding their ages was a deliberate manipulation by certain members of the public.
Now, as the newly emerged Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Adamawa State Branch, Babuba is set to drive initiatives focused on legal empowerment, gender-based violence prevention, and justice for marginalized groups. Her leadership signals a new era of advocacy aimed at protecting the rights of women, children, and vulnerable members of society, reinforcing her lifelong mission to create meaningful change.
