How leader kicked out ‘puppet master’ Ahmadou Ahidjo

Biya was born Bi Mvondo Paul-Bartholomew Afam Biya in 1933 in Mvomeka’a village. He comes from the Beti-Pahuin tribe in Centre-South Province of Cameroon. He graduated with a diploma in International Relations from Paris, France in 1961.

Biya was fished from oblivion and mentored by Ahmadou Ahidjo right up to the time he became president in November 1982. The mentoring involved appointing the technocrat Biya to the civil service and political posts at the same time. He was made Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Education in January 1964, and Secretary General of National Education the following year.