As tributes continue to flood in for Chris Maiyaki, the former Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) of the National Universities Commission (NUC), who retired from the Civil Service yesterday, he has shared reflections on his upbringing.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja, the former NUC Acting Executive Secretary revealed that he lost both of his parents before turning eight, an early tragedy that shaped his resilience and sense of purpose. He recounted how those formative years, though marked by hardship, taught him the values of discipline, hard work, and faith — qualities that would later define his career in public service.

He further shared that being raised by his grandmother in the village played a pivotal role in moulding his character and shaping the person he has become today.

“I grew up from a very humble background. I lost my parents before I was eight. My grandmother, who was an illiterate who didn’t know what ‘good morning’ was, or ‘hello’ in English, was the one who poured everything she had.

“That has shaped my life. I have seen what deprivation is. I know what living in relentless poverty is. I know what power is. I know what opportunities are. So those things have shaped me, and I have seen people who have it all, who make it look so simple as well,” Maiyaki said.

He spoke fondly of the individuals and communities that supported him through his childhood, describing them as the “pillars” who stepped in to nurture his potential and guide him along the right path. He emphasised that their kindness and encouragement inspired his lifelong commitment to service and education, two areas he considers vital for national development.

Even though Nigeria is home to around 371 tribes, the former Deputy Executive Secretary recognises only two. Hear him: “I believe only in the two-tribe structure. I’ve said this over and over. I have just two tribes in my dictionary: the tribe of the good men and the tribe of the bad men.”

He abhorred the notion of tribal stereotyping and encouraged those who discriminate based on tribe to ensure that their drivers, teachers, and medical staff also come from their own tribes.

Reflecting on his journey through the civil service in the last 35 years, Maiyaki expressed profound gratitude to God and to those who supported him along the way. He described his time at the NUC as both challenging and rewarding, noting that every stage of his career was a lesson in patience, leadership, and service to humanity.

He urged younger generations, especially those in public service, to remain steadfast, honest, and passionate about their work. According to him, success in life is not defined by one’s background but by one’s determination to rise above adversity and make meaningful contributions to society.