History and Background of Niger State Governor-Elect

Background

Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago was born in Minna, Niger State, on 22nd February, 1974, to parents of Nupe extraction. His late father, Alhaji Muhammadu Mustapha (Barape Nupe), TECHNO, was a member of the Masaba Royal family of Bida, and his late mother, Hajia Aishat Mohammed, was a member of the Jantabo Royal family of Lapai.

 

Education

After graduating from Marafa Primary School Minna with a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1985, he continued his education at the prestigious Federal Government College, Jos, where he earned his West African School Certificate.

 

Hon. Bago studied political science at Uthman Dan Fodio University in Sokoto, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also had obtained several postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, including a postgraduate diploma in management from the Federal University of Technology Minna in 2001.

 

In addition, he earned an MBA in Economics from Ambrose Ali University in Ekpoma in 2003 and a Master of Science in Finance from University of Calabar in 2005. These were among his several postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees. He graduated in 2014 with honours from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

 

Hon. Bago is a Certified Management specialist with Distinction in Time Management from London Graduate School in 2020. He also received an Honourary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) and Fellow of Humanity and Political Economy, African School of Diplomacy and International Relations Abuja in conjunction with ESTAM University Republic of Benin – 2021

Career

Hon Bago began his career in the banking sector, where he had an illustrious career and grew through the ranks before taking an adventure into politics in 2011.  He had his banking experience with first-rate organisations like the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Standard Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and AfriBank, where he gathered invaluable knowledge and experience that became a great resource and inspiration in his quest for leadership advancement.

He tested the murky waters of politics, beginning with the newly formed Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he won his election into the House of Representatives to represent Chanchaga Federal Constituency.

 

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Hon Mohammed Umar Bago assumed office on 29th May 2011, responding to a clarion call to serve his people as a federal legislator on the inauguration of the seventh Assembly on 6th June 2011. He was re-elected in 2015 for a second term and in 2019 for the unprecedented third term in Chachanga Federal constituency to underscore his wide acceptance by his people.

 

During his stewardship at the House, Hon Bago had served at various times with diligence in the following Committees: Banking and Finance, Appropriation, Education, Internal Security, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Defence, Loans and Debts, National Planning, Economic Development, Media, Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Police and Public Accounts.

 

During his second term, he was the House Committee Chairman on Maritime Safety and Education and doubled as House Committee Member on Works, IDPs, Tertiary and ICT Committees, respectively. Presently, Hon Bago serves as House Committee Chairman on Co-operation and Integration in Africa. He also doubles as House Committee member on Air Force, Anti-corruption, Capital Market, Labour Employment & Productivity, Media & Public Affairs, Ports, Labour, Steel and Appropriation Committee.

Family

He is happily married with three children.