Boss Mustapha

**Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha: Biography** Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha (born August 4, 1956) is a prominent Nigerian lawyer, politician, businessman, and public servant. He is best known for his service as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) of Nigeria, a role he held from 2017 to 2023 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. **Early Life and Education** Mustapha was born in Garha, Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. He is of the Kilba ethnic group. His early education was completed in Adamawa State, where he attended Hong Secondary School. He later proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree in 1979. Following his university education, he attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980. **Career Progression and Political Service** Mustapha began his professional career as a legal practitioner, specializing in estate planning, real estate, and government affairs. He eventually rose to become the principal partner of the law firm Messers Mustapha and Associates. His political career is extensive, dating back to the early 1980s. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly from 1988 to 1989. In 1989, he served as the Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a gubernatorial candidate for the defunct SDP in Adamawa State in 1991. Over the years, Mustapha held several high-profile political appointments. He served as the National Deputy Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Following the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC), he became a member of the party’s Federal Transition Committee in 2015. Prior to his appointment as SGF, he was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). **Major Achievements as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)** On October 30, 2017, Mustapha was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. During his tenure, his role involved coordinating policy formulation, implementation, and general administration across the government. One of his most notable achievements was coordinating the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) and later the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19. As Chairman of the PTF/PSC, he was instrumental in formulating Nigeria’s national response to the pandemic, including securing vaccines, imposing necessary restrictions, and coordinating relief efforts across the country. This leadership earned him significant national and international recognition for his decisive approach during a global crisis. Mustapha was also recognized for contributing to stabilizing relations between the executive and legislative arms of government and for overseeing critical public service reforms. **Current Status** Following the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration in May 2023, Mustapha stepped down as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He remains a respected figure within the APC and the Nigerian political landscape.