Yakubu Synkoum was born and educated in Garuwa, Cameroon, and did his DTS in Maiduguri, Nigeria in 2004. After completing his DTS he joined YWAM Maiduguri as staff and became a leader. Yakoubou loved music and released a CD, using the proceeds to aid the work at the base. He used his music for evangelism, and had a passion to reach the Fulani and Kanuri people. His desire to know God more led him to Port Harcourt and a School of Biblical Studies.

Yakubu passed away in a traffic accident in Nigeria on December 11, 2005, along with eight other YWAMers: Willie Ihezie, Rahim dan Akazu, Praise Judah Kalu, Ben Aniekeme, David Choji, Brianna Esswein, and Delphine Lemaire. Seven other YWAMers were injured, several of them seriously.