Born on September 29, 1956, in the historic city of Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria. He began his educational journey in Katsina, attending both primary and secondary schools between 1965 and 1976. Driven by an early passion for the law, he proceeded to Bayero University, Kano, in 1977 and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree. In the same year, he was admitted to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 2, 1982.
Hon. Justice Saulawa’s distinguished legal career began with the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice in August 1982, where he served as a Pupil State Counsel during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Over the years, his career flourished as he held various pivotal roles, including Secretary of the Law Officers’ Committee for the then 10 Northern States, Visiting Lecturer at Katsina Polytechnic, and a Private Legal Practitioner at Ahmed Usman & Associates Chambers.
In 1983, he joined the Kaduna State Judiciary as a Magistrate Grade II and later rose to the position of Chief Magistrate in the Katsina State Judiciary, serving from 1987 to 1991. He further contributed to the judiciary as Deputy Chief Registrar and later Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal in Lagos between 1991 and 1994. His dedication and expertise earned him an appointment as a High Court Judge in the Katsina State Judiciary in 1994, a position he held until 2006.
Hon. Justice Saulawa was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on June 10, 2006. At the Court of Appeal, he served in several judicial divisions across the country, including as the Presiding Justice in the Calabar, Ilorin, and Port Harcourt divisions. His exemplary service and commitment to justice culminated in his elevation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria on November 10, 2020. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the judiciary and national development, Hon. Justice Saulawa has been conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
Beyond the bench, Hon. Justice Saulawa is a prolific writer and scholar, having authored numerous publications and delivered papers at several conferences. He has also attended and participated in prominent international and national conferences, including the International Bar Association Conference in Australia, the GIABA Anti-Corruption Summit in the United States, and the Executive Summit for African Judicial Officers in Tanzania.
An ardent advocate for education, Hon. Justice Saulawa has made remarkable contributions to the sector. He pioneered the establishment of Usman Danfodio College of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Katsina in 1992, which is affiliated with Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. He also played a foundational role in the creation of Al-Qalam University (formerly Katsina Islamic University) in 1998.
His hobbies include reading, research, traveling, gardening, and sports.