Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was born on 27 October 1967. He was born in Gulak, Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa State. His primary education was at Central Primary School Gulak from 1975-1981. He proceeded to the Government Day Secondary School Gulak and Government Secondary School Michika from 1981-1986 for his secondary education. He obtained a first degree and a postgraduate diploma from the University of Maiduguri in 1992 and 2004 respectively.

He was a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, representing the Madagali Constituency from 2007 to 2011. He left the assembly as the speaker of the house. Fintiri won the governorship election of Adamawa State which took place on the 9th of March 2019, he was declared winner of the by-election