Gudtalent Chrisent
Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab is a Nigerian business mogul. He was ranked the 15th richest man in Nigeria in 2015.
Background
Alhaji Umaru Mutallab was born on the 15th of December, 1939 in Katsina Town, Northern Nigeria. His father was an officer with the Funtua Works Department. He attended the Barewa College Zaria and Achimota College in Accra Ghana. He also went to the South West London College in England. He is an honorary doctorate recipient from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Rise to Prominence
Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab is one man who steadfastly worked his way up the ranks and earned his fortune. He started his prominence working as a clerk with Pannell, Fitzpatrick, and the company in Kaduna. At some point, he travelled outside Nigeria to complete his education. When he returned to Nigeria in 1968, he was appointed the Chief Accountant of the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria. Three years later he became the financial controller of the New Nigerian Development Company in Kaduna and then 8in 1975 he was promoted to General Manager.
Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab was once a Federal Commissioner of Economic Development in 1975. He however did not hold the position for long as he was deposed following the failed military coup d’état. One year later he was occupying the position of member of the country’s Federal Executive Council, which he held from 1976 to 1978. Soon after he became the Executive Deputy Chairman of the United Bank for Africa. In one year he rose through the rank of Managing Director up to CEO.
Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab is indeed one man who has occupied leadership positions in many prominent organisations. He once served as the Chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria between 1999 and 2009. He also served on the boards of companies like the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), Arewa Textile Limited, the National Communications Commission (NCC), NACB, Agip Oil, and the Cement Company of Nigeria. Likewise, he was the chairman of many companies like The Spring Waters Nigeria Limited (SWAN), in Kerang, Plateau, North Central Nigeria, Incar Nigeria Plc, and Impressit Bakolori Plc. He is also the chairman of the Business Working Group of Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020. He is the president of Barewa College’s Old Boys Association and a fellow of the FCCA and FCA.
All of his hard work has not gone unnoticed either; he is a recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). And in 2015 he ranked 15 on the list of richest men in Nigeria.
