He proceeded to Mubi Teachers’ College for his teaching training before gaining admission to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his Bachelor's degree in History, M.Sc., and Ph.D. in the same field.
He was promoted to the position of a Headmaster and transferred to Hambagda Primary School in 1968, and Assistant Education Officer, North-Eastern Government in 1971.
A highly supportive environment for learning and research was established thanks to Professor Mahadi's vast tree planting and campus beautification projects.
He had already accomplished this in the locations/institutions he previously oversaw: the University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Arewa House in Kaduna.
The project has received the greatest support, as the Mahadi Initiative/Foundation is inundated with requests from individuals, communities, public and private institutions, religious organizations, etc.