Boss Mustapha CFR, born in 1956, is a highly esteemed Nigerian lawyer and politician who held the prestigious position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) of Nigeria from 2017 to 2023.
Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, showcasing his exceptional leadership skills and dedication to tackling the global pandemic.
REAL FACTS ABOUT BOSS MUSTAPHA
FULL NAME: Boss Mustapha
DATE OF BIRTH: 1956
PLACE OF BIRTH: Garaha
STATE OF ORIGIN: Adamawa State
NATIONALITY: Nigerian
MARITAL STATUS: Married
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Mustapha was born in 1956 in Garaha, a village situated in the Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the North Eastern region of Nigeria.
He attended primary school in Hong, Adamawa and then went on to North East College of Arts and Sciences in Maiduguri, Borno State for his high school education. He completed his high school education and graduated in 1976.
After completing high school, Mustapha enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LL.B) degree in 1979.
Following this, he attended Nigeria Law School in Lagos for a mandatory one-year law course and successfully graduated in 1980.
He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in the same year. As part of his legal training, he also completed a one-year mandatory national service between 1980 and 1981.
In 1983, Mustapha began his legal career as a Counsel at Messrs Onagoruwa & Co in Lagos. Prior to this, he had gained experience working at an Italian consultancy firm called Sotesa Nigeria Limited.
In 1994, he established his own law firm, Messrs Mustapha & Associates, where he served as the Principal Counsel until 2000.
Following this, he joined another law firm, Adriot Lex & Co, where he worked as the Principal Consultant from 2000 to 2006.
Mustapha has also held positions as a board member in various companies operating in the manufacturing, financial services, and oil and gas sectors. He is highly regarded for his expertise in corporate governance and is often referred to as a “boardroom guru”.
CAREER
Mustapha started his career in politics in the 1980s after completing his law degree. From 1988 to 1989, he played a role in the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Third Nigerian Republic.
In 1989, Mustapha became the state chairman of the Peoples Solidarity Party (PSP) in Gongola State, which no longer exists. However, the party, along with several others, was disbanded by General Ibrahim Babangida, the military head of state at the time.
Between 1990 and 1991, Mustapha served as the chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Adamawa state. This party was one of two political parties created by the military regime.
In 1991, Mustapha ran for the position of governor in Adamawa State under the Social Democratic Party, but unfortunately, he lost to Abubakar Saleh Michika from the National Republican Convention.
In 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Mustapha as a member of a presidential committee tasked with investigating the activities of the Petroleum Trust Fund under Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari had previously resigned as the executive chairman of the organization.
Although the committee, known as the Interim Management Committee, completed their work, the report was never made public.
In the 2007 presidential election, Mustapha served as the deputy director-general for Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign.
Mustapha, who previously held the position of deputy national chairman for the Action Congress of Nigeria, was part of the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress in 2013.
This merger was in preparation for Nigeria’s general elections in 2015. Despite the merger, Mustapha was unsuccessful in his bid for Governor of Adamawa State in 2014.
However, he continued to contribute to the party’s efforts by participating in the presidential campaigns and serving on the transition committee for Nigeria’s 2015 election, which resulted in Muhammadu Buhari becoming the president. Additionally, Mustapha holds a position on the board of trustees for the party.
In addition to his political involvement, Mustapha is a member of various professional organizations, including the African Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, and International Bar Association.
PERSONAL LIFE
Boss Mustapha and Olufunmilayo Mustapha are in a joyful marital union and are blessed with children.
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