Bandar Rajah Buayan — Dr. Mohammad Shuaib Yacob, a distinguished leader in the Bangsamoro struggle for peace and development, has been appointed Senior Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua. This 2025 appointment marks a significant milestone in Dr. Yacob’s decades-long dedication to advancing peace, public service, and the socio-economic transformation of the Bangsamoro homeland.

In addition to this new ministerial role, Yacob was recently named Vice President of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) for Southern Mindanao, reinforcing his influential position in regional politics and ensuring the inclusive representation of Bangsamoro communities beyond the core BARMM provinces.

 

A scholar, development leader, and revolutionary thinker, Yacob previously served as Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) for over nine years. During his tenure, he guided socio-economic initiatives that combined humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and the aspirations of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He is widely recognized as a founding figure in post-conflict reconstruction in Mindanao and played a pivotal role in promoting community-driven development under the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

 

In 2019, Yacob was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of BARMM and concurrently began serving as a Member of Parliament—a role he continues to hold. Under his leadership, MAFAR launched strategic programs including modern irrigation systems, farmer empowerment initiatives, coastal community support, and agrarian reform projects. These efforts have benefited thousands of farming and fishing families, contributing to enhanced food security and climate-resilient agriculture in the region.

 

Yacob holds a Bachelor of Laws in Shari’ah from the International Islamic University in Madinah, and he completed his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Public Administration in Cotabato City.