Professor Musa Abdullahi Mahadi was born on the 22nd January, 1973 at Gwoza town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University Staff School from 1979 – 1985 where he obtained a first school leaving certificate. He also attended Demonstration Secondary School Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1985 – 1988 where he obtained a Junior Secondary Certificate of education thereafter he also attended Government Senior Science Secondary School Potiskum, Yobe State between 1988 – 1991 where he obtained a Senior Secondary Certificate of education in 1991.
In his quest for higher education he enrolled into the school of General and Remedial Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1991 and completed a remedial programme in 1992. Professor Mahadi was admitted into the Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1993 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1999