They were to take charge and responsibility in shaping the political, economic and social fortunes of the North and lead the region to self-government.

[3] After completing his secondary education at Katsina College in 1927, Aliyu was employed to teach in Niger Middle School.

In 1955, Aliyu performed the first pilgrimage to Mecca in the company of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto and other Ministers.

As a man who had shown great promise, the Sherwood Smith administration appointed Aliyu as the Northern Region's First Minister[5] of Education and Social Welfare in 1952.

[6] The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare needed proper handling as a responsible place for laying a foundation for the future generation and that is why he was put in charge.

Councillor and a Senior Minister with a responsible portfolio in Education, Aliyu Makama became a titan in the affairs of the North and as a member of Northern Peoples Congress (NPC).

[9] Aliyu Mahmud Makama Bida was honoured with officer of Order of British Empire, (OBE) before he died.