 He thereafter proceeded to the School of Basic Studies of the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria until July 1973 when he was admitted into the Nigeria Defence Academy in Kaduna as a member of the 14th regular Combatant Course.In 1975, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigeria Army Corps of Engineers.Abdurrahman held multiple commands, instructor and staff appointments in the course of his career both locally and internationally.