He attended Barewa College, Zaria, where he earned an "exemption from the London Matriculation," an honor for outstanding students during at the time.

He went to Sudan Interior Mission schook (SUM) and later enlisted into the Nigerian Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF).

He also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, where he completed his officers' training, receiving the Queen's Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1955.

He was engaged in various peacekeeping efforts in various regions including operations in the Southern Cameroons, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Congo, and interventions during the Tiv riots and the suppression of mutiny in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) which earned him recognition from President Julius Nyerere, who honored him with a lion skin and shield.

Aware of the danger, Pam shared a poignant moment with his daughter, Kaneng, and then turned to his wife, uttering his final words in Hausa, entrusting her with their children's care.