Syed Ahmad received his early education at Sekolah Melayu Kulim (Kulim Malay School) in 1932 till 1935 and continued his education at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College, Alor Star till he passed his Senior Cambridge Examination in 1947.
Syed Ahmad had wide experience and actively engaged in politics.
Syed Ahmad was appointed as Menteri Besar of Kedah (1967–1978) and Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs (1978–1982 and Malaysia's High Commissioner to Singapore (1982–1984).
In 1984, he was appointed as the fifth Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Melaka state.
Syed Ahmad died on 7 July 2008 at his house in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.