Honourable Ali Abdi Omar’s Inspiring Journey with SIMAD University

Honourable Ali Abdi Osman has one of the most impactful and transformative stories in the history of SIMAD University, and hearing it firsthand is truly inspiring.

In 1999, Ali Abdi Osman joined SIMAD as a shoe shiner. By 2002, he had become a member of the cleaning staff. Throughout his time there, he worked tirelessly, and with encouragement from Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, then Dean of SIMAD and now the President of Somalia, he pursued education in his free time while continuing his work duties. In 2008, he earned his first degree, marking the beginning of his continuous growth and success. Now, 25 years later, his story is a reminder of the transformative power of education at SIMAD.

Born in the Baay region of the Buurhakaba district, Ali Abdi Osman’s journey is a remarkable success story of resilience and determination. His education at SIMAD University changed his life, enabling him to stand on his own and pursue higher education. After high school in Mogadishu, he studied at SIMAD University, earning a degree in Public Administration. He furthered his education in Pakistan with a postgraduate diploma in procurement and logistics inventory control management and completed his Master’s in Business Administration in Malaysia. Currently, he is enrolled in a Ph.D. program.

Work History and Career Progression

Ali Abdi Osman’s career began humbly as a shoe shiner at SIMAD University, serving the administration, staff, and students. Through hard work and dedication, he transitioned to a janitor in the cleaning department and eventually became a logistics and personnel officer. His commitment and learning led to his promotion as an admin, procurement, and logistics officer, a position he held for several years.

After leaving SIMAD, Ali Abdi Osman joined various international NGOs. He worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the Transition Initiative for Stabilization, funded by USAID and implemented in Somalia. There, he served as a procurement and logistics officer. He then moved to the Ministry of Justice of Somalia, working on the rule of law, justice, and corrections project funded by UNDP as an admin and finance advisor.

Subsequently, he joined the TISPLAS program, funded by USAID and implemented by EECOM, as a procurement and logistics specialist for South and Central Somalia. Later, he worked on the Somali Capacity Injection Project, funded by the World Bank, aimed at building core public infrastructure, where he held the position of Somali capacity injection officer.

Political and Further Professional Pursuits

In 2016, Ali Abdi Osman transitioned into politics, becoming a member of the House of the People, Federal Republic of Somalia. During his tenure, he was elected chairman of the Committee of Budget, Finance, Planning, and Financial Oversight of Public Institutions. He contributed significantly to several bills, including the Public Financial Management Bill, General Audit Bill, Statistics Bill, and Revenue Bill, all of which were passed by parliament.

After his parliamentary term, he moved to London and began working for an organisation in the field of social and public health as the Chief of Operations. Currently, he serves as the Admin and Finance Advisor to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of Somalia.

Gratitude and Legacy

Ali Abdi Osman credits much of his progress to President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, who played a pivotal role in transforming his life. He acknowledges the profound impact of SIMAD University, stating that without it, his success would not have been possible. His journey from a shoe shiner to a prominent political and professional figure is a powerful story of how opportunities and growth are the hallmarks of SIMAD University.