Hadiza Aliyu, famously known as Hadiza Gabon, is a distinguished actress from Nigeria and Gabon, a producer, a philanthropist, and a brand ambassador.
She is one of the few actresses whose name is associated with the restructuring of Kannywood through her influential performances in Hausa-language films and the smooth transition to Nollywood.
She is the “Queen of Kannywood” by way of her linguistic talent, which includes not only the Hausa but also the English and French languages, and therefore, her characters gain from her being a real cultural figure and her being able to distinguish delicate emotional tones in love, societies, and empowerment situations.
Hadiza Aliyu Biography
| Real Name | Hadiza Aliyu |
| Nationality | Nigerian-Gabonese |
| Ethnicity | Fulani |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | Diploma in French Language, École Française Gabonaise (2006) |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches |
| Parents | Mallam Aliyu and Hajiya Halima |
| Siblings | Maryam Gabon |
| Relationship | Single |
Early Life and Education
Hadiza Aliyu (born on June 1, 1989, 36 years old) is from Libreville, Gabon. She was born into a well-known family of mixed Nigerian and Gabonese heritage.
Her dad, Mallam Aliyu, and mum, Hajiya Halima, are Fulanis from Adamawa State, Nigeria, and they brought a multicultural upbringing to their daughter, deeply rooted in Islamic values, infused with French influences, and blended with northern Nigerian heritage and Islamic culture.
She attended school in Gabon for both primary and secondary education and sat her A-Level exams with the intention of attending university to study law.
And in 2006, she got a diploma in French from the École Française Gabonaise, and then she taught French at a private school for a short time after her graduation.
When Hadiza moved to Nigeria in 2007, she first went to Adamawa State with her cousin and later to Kaduna. Due to her limited knowledge of Hausa and English, she had difficulty understanding the language and thus could not continue her university law studies.
Career
Hadiza Gabon began her rise to fame in 2009 after she moved to Kaduna, where she met the Kannywood legend Ali Nuhu by chance.
He took her under his wing and showed her the way into the Hausa film industry. Her first role in the film Artabu, a drama about family conflicts, immediately demonstrated her calmness and composure. As a result, she received more support from Nuhu and Director Aminu Shariff.
Listing as a Kannywood leading lady, she performed the roles of more than 300 characters in the most popular Hausa films.
Movies
She perfectly mixed the qualities of weakness and strength in the characters of the movies, such as Ali Yaga Ali (romantic intrigue), Daga Ni Sai Ke (societal pressures), Babban Zaure (emotional depth), Barauniya, Basaja, and Fataken Dare.
Because she mastered several languages, she was able to bring the truest of characters to life and as a result, she was crowned with the title “Queen of Kannywood” and had the collaboration of great stars like Rahama Sadau and Ali Nuhu.
Hadiza Aliyu got in through the Nollywood door in 2017, following other stars like Sani Musa Danja and Maryam Booth.
Hadiza appeared in Lagos Real Fake Life with Mike Ezuruonye, Mark Angel, Emmanuella, and Josh2Funny, a funny urban-hustles story that was her breakthrough into broader appeal.
Her other roles in English are Mijin Biza (2017, also her original script), Gidan Badamasi (2019), and a crossover with Mercy Aigbe, Odunlade Adekola, and Annie Macaulay-Idibia.
Producer
She has become versatile in different genres. As a filmmaker, Hadiza Aliyu creates under her label, focusing on Hausa stories, and she is also the host of Gabon’s Room, a syndicated Hausa talk show since 2022, which attracts celebrities like Dauda Kahutu Rarara, who give talks on culture and social topics.
Hadiza Aliyu is still one of the top Kannywood trendsetters in 2025, with the recent Ali Yaga Ali remakes and endorsements among the activities that have helped her broaden her digital presence.
Being a brand ambassador for MTN Nigeria, Indomie Noodles, and Dangote Classic Seasoning (since 2018) really highlights her business intelligence.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @adizatou
- X (Twitter) Handle: @AdizatouGabon
- Facebook: AdizatouGabon
- TikTok: @hadizagabon
Personal Life
Is Hadiza Aliyu married?
Hadiza Gabon is a single woman with no husband or children. She is very protective of her privacy and has denied rumours that she has a daughter (her niece, whom she raised as her own).
She has also refuted the claim that she had a court case in Kano in 2025, in which Bala Musa accused her of reneging on a marriage promise. She called the accusation a lie and said that there are ongoing legal proceedings.
Media Controversy
In 2019, there was an allegation of an assault on her made by a colleague, Mustapha Naburaska. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for Hadiza Aliyu due to her failure to appear. However, she resolved it professionally and was a vocal advocate for industry ethics.
Hadiza Aliyu lives in Kano and Lagos. Her 2016-founded Hadiza Gabon Foundation (HGF) is the vehicle for her passion for the education, healthcare, and food security of women and children in northern Nigeria. The 2025 programs include building schools in Adamawa.
Net Worth
Hadiza Aliyu Gabon is a distinguished actress from Nigeria with a net worth of $500,000. The primary source of the artist’s income comes from film and series roles (N3–6 million per lead for 300+ films/series), along with production credits such as Mijin Biza and writing. Thereby, a crossover with Nollywood will give a higher payout.
Endorsements with MTN, Indomie, and Dangote are bringing in six figures every year, while Gabon’s Room is gradually becoming a source of income.