Atiku Abubakar Kigo was born on the 11th February, 1957 in Kebbi State. He attended Dakingari Primary School (1963-1969) and Government Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi (1970-1974) where he obtained his School Leaving and West African Examination Council Certificates respectively.

He then graduated with a B.A. (Hons) In Economics from the University of Ibadan (1974-1978) and he holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A. He further obtained a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Studies from National War College of Nigeria, Abuja-F.C.T (1996-1998). He has attended many courses/meetings within and outside the country.

He served as the Assistant in the History Bureau, Sokoto State in 1979 before rising to become the Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Sport & Culture, Sokoto State. He also served as the Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry for Rural Development and Co-operatives, Sokoto in 1982 and as Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sokoto state (1978-1988).

In 1988, he was then appointed the Assistant Chief Pers. Officer in the Office of the Chief of General Staff; this preceded his becoming the Deputy Director (Training, Welfare and Special Duties) in the Ministry of Defence between 1998 and 2000. He was then posted to the Federal Ministry of Commerce to serve there as Director (Commercial Law Dept. TM&D Registry).

Mr Atiku has also served in number of Ad-Hoc assignments. He is currently the Permanent Secretary, Designate in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. He is a Muslim and is married.