Issa Tchiroma

Issa Tchiroma Bakary was born on September 10, 1949, in Garoua. Issa Tchiroma’s ancestral origins are associated with the Fulani people of Cameroon. He was raised in the northern city of Garoua, a stronghold of the Fulani ethnic group.

Issa Tchiroma is a Cameroonian politician, railway engineer, and the current President of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC). After a decades-long career in government, Tchiroma resigned from his ministerial post in June 2025 to run for the presidency in the October 12, 2025 election. 

Early life: Tchiroma was born in Garoua to an influential family, with his father serving as an advisor to the traditional ruler.

Education: He completed his early studies in Cameroon before pursuing higher education in France. He studied technical training in transport and later became a railway engineer specializing in materials and construction.

While pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics, he switched fields due to political pressures. Imprisonment: Tchiroma was arrested in 1984 following a failed coup attempt against President Paul Biya, allegedly due to his northern origins. He was imprisoned for six years without charge, an experience that Amnesty International denounced. During his incarceration, he taught himself English, becoming a bilingual political figure.

Primary School: He attended Public School De Doualaré in Garoua, Cameroon. Secondary School: His secondary studies took place in Douala, Cameroon.

Higher education PhD Studies (interrupted): Tchiroma began studying for a PhD in mathematics at the University of Paris (Jussieu) in France.

Engineering Degree: Due to political pressure, he switched fields and instead joined the Institut Supérieur des Matériaux et de la Construction Mécanique (ISMCM), also known as Supmeca Paris.

Specialization: He trained and became a railway engineer, specializing in materials and construction.

Political career: Tchiroma has had a long and at times controversial political career, marked by shifting alliances.

Initial Opposition: After his release from prison in 1990, Tchiroma joined the opposition party National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) and was elected to the National Assembly in 1992.

Ministerial Positions (with ruling party): Transport (1992–1996): He was appointed Minister of Transport by President Biya in 1992 despite opposition from some members of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). His continued service in the government led to his expulsion from the UNDP, after which he formed a faction that became the National Alliance for Democracy and Progress (NADP).

Communication (2009–2019): After forming his own party, the FSNC, Tchiroma re-entered government as Minister of Communication and served as the government’s spokesperson.

Employment and Vocational Training (2019–2025): He later served as the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training until his resignation. 2025 Presidential Candidacy: In June 2025, Tchiroma publicly resigned from the government and announced his candidacy for the presidency, stating his intention to “break with a government he believes has run out of steam”. He has campaigned on a platform of federalism and national reconciliation, gaining support from some opposition figures.

Government Spokesperson: As Communication Minister, he was the face of the state during the Boko Haram insurgency and the early stages of the Anglophone crisis.

Controversial Stance: His long history of switching between opposition and government roles has led to perceptions of ambivalence, though he frames his actions as a “path of duty and clarity”. His recent shift to supporting federalism, a position he once dismissed, has also drawn scrutiny.

Personal Life: While he has kept much of his immediate family life private, some details have emerged: He has publicly mentioned having grandchildren from different regions, which he has used to advocate for national unity. Reports from August 2025 state that he mentioned having three Bamileke grandchildren and two from the South of Cameroon.

Net Worth: Issa Tchiroma Bakary has an estimated net worth of $2 Million (1.12 billion FCFA). He has accumulated wealth through his extensive career in government service in Cameroon. His income sources are primarily related to his long tenure in various ministerial positions. He owns a house in Yaounde and his home town Garoua.