Mallam Muhammed Lawan Buba has a BA Hons. from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He served in numerous capacities at the University of Maiduguri including being the Deputy Registrar in Charge of Physical Developments/Council Matters, as well as being the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of the University.

Mallam Buba also held several Public Service positions in Borno State. He was at one time, the Administration Officer in charge of Monguno Local Government, Borno State and also served as the Commissioner for Health and Member of the State Executive Council, at different times before and during his service at the University of Maiduguri. He joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (“NNPC”) in 1990 where his first assignment was at HYSON/CALSON where he served as Executive Director in charge of Services and rose to become the Managing Director in 1991. He also served as the Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Limited, Group General Manager, Downstream Investments and ended his career with the NNPC as the Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment in 1999.

Mallam Buba is widely travelled in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Though he has retired from Public Service, he has continued to play an active role in the continuous evolution of Public Private Partnerships. He joined the Board of Vetiva in June 2005.