Darius Ishaku was born in Lupwe in present Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State on  July30, 1954 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Naomi and Ishaku Istifanus. He attended St. Bartholomew's primary school, Wusasa, Zaria, in 1961, and obtained his first school-leaving certificate in 1967. He proceeded to St. Paul's College Kufena, Zaria, for his secondary education, in 1972, where he sat for his West African Examination Certificate (WASC) exams. In the same year he secured an admission with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for his advanced Level education, which was then a requirement for gaining admission into university, and he finished the program in 1974. The same year, he was admitted into school of Architecture Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Architecture in 1977. In the following year he enrolled for a Master's of Science (MSc.) Degree in Architecture and graduated with a distinction in 1979. His professional career started off in 1980 as an Architect with Interior Design Partnership, but resigned after a year to join Bestarc International Association, where he rose to the position of a Director in 1983. He contested for the 2015 Gubernatorial elections under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerged winner