Mohammed Mohammed

Mohammed Umar (born 22 February 1974) is a Nigerian banker and politician serving as the current Governor of Niger State since 29 May 2023. He was born in Minna, Niger State, to a Nupe family.

He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency. Mohammed Umar emerged victorious in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Niger State, defeating Isah Liman Kantigi of PDP.

Early life and education: Born in 1974, Hon. Umar Bago attended Marafa Primary School, Minna, and Federal Government College, Jos. He earned his West Africa School Certificate from WAEC. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. Additional qualifications include a postgraduate diploma in management from Federal University of Technology Minna (2001), an MBA in economics from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma (2003), and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Calabar (2005). He also holds a distinction as a Cambridge University alumnus (UK, 2014).

Career: Bago worked with banks including United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Afri-Bank PLC. He served as a manager at FCMB before entering politics in 2007.

Political career: He contested for the Speakership of the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly but came second to Femi Gbajabiamila. He chaired the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration. In 2016, he advised the Maritime Commission to relieve 83 staff, citing ‘touts,’ and urged NIMASA to adopt a well-structured budgeting process. He won the APC gubernatorial primary in Niger State ahead of the 2023 general election, securing 469,896 votes against Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi’s 387,476 votes.