Professor Yakubu began his academic career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Jos in 1986, from where he proceeded to the United Kingdom for his postgraduate studies. He returned to the University in 1992 as Lecturer I. In 1993, he moved to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a Senior Lecturer and rose to the rank of Reader in 1995 and Professor in 1998. At the NDA, he was Head, Department of History from 1994 to 1995, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Director of Academic Planning from 1998 to 2000, Member, Armed Forces Selection Board from 1998 to 2003, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for a second time from 2002 to 2004, Chairman, Management Board of the Staff School from 2004 to 2006 and pioneer Dean, Post Graduate School in from 2004 to 2006. He has more than 50 publications to credit.