Esmira Ayyub (Esmira Badalova-Mammadova) was born in Baku.

She studied at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts in the specialty of Literary Creativity and Screen Dramaturgy (2001–2007, bachelor's+master's), at the Rustam Ibrahimbeyov International Film School in the specialty of Cinematography (2007–2010), at the III International Film School (2010, Moscow).

She worked as the head of the literary department at the Yerevan State Azerbaijan Drama Theater (2003–2006), as an editor/host at Space TV (2006–2009), and as a copywriter at the Banner advertising company (since 2009). She taught screenwriting at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts.

Screenwriter Esmira Ayyub is the wife of director Seyran Mahmudoghlu.