By Isah Nasidi, PhD
Mustapha Muhammad, a seasoned journalist with two decades of experience in international broadcasting, has been appointed as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State and Deputy Official Spokesperson. His extensive career, spanning multiple international media organizations, positions him as a strategic communicator with a deep understanding of media dynamics in Nigeria and beyond. Â
Born on December 26, 1974, in Kano’s historic Alfindiki quarters, Mustapha Muhammad’s journey into journalism began with a solid educational foundation. He attended Tudun Madatai Special Primary School, where his exceptional academic performance earned him a promotion from Primary Four to Primary Six. He proceeded to the prestigious Rumfa College before obtaining a degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), in 2000. His passion for development and media led him to further his education, earning a Master’s degree in Development Studies in 2010 and an MSc in Mass Communication in 2018, both from BUK. He is currently pursuing a PhD at BUK.
Mustapha Muhammad’s career boasts an impressive portfolio of journalistic achievements. He has worked with globally recognized media organizations such as the BBC, Radio France Internationale, Inter Press Service (IPS), and Bloomberg News. His investigative and human-interest stories have been featured on France 24, Press TV, and Farin Wata Digital Satellite. In 2014, he won the prestigious BBC Documentary Bursary Award for his groundbreaking documentary *Nigeria’s Working Children*, which was aired in both English and Hausa, earning him national and international acclaim. Another major milestone in his career was breaking the story of Charles Taylor’s arrest in Nigeria in 2006, a significant global scoop for the BBC.
Beyond broadcasting, Mustapha Muhammad has made significant contributions to print journalism, with insightful reports published in Bloomberg News, Inter Press Service, ThisDay, and Daily Trust. His notable pieces include Lake Communities Left High and Dry, Nigeria Polio: Making Up for Lost Time, and Nigeria’s Hijab Wearers Face Scrutiny on Female Bombers. His expertise in agenda-setting journalism has also been recognized by Crystals International, which honored him with the Best Documentary Maker Award in 2015 for his commitment to development-focused storytelling.
A passionate advocate for human-interest reporting, Mustapha Muhammad believes in using media as a tool for societal change. His work has directly impacted lives, such as securing educational sponsorship for a child featured in one of his documentaries. As the Managing Director of Quick Action Media Services Nigeria Ltd., he has also provided consultancy services and media training to international, national, and state organizations, including the World Bank, the Federal Government, numerous state governments, and NGOs.
In his new role as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State, Mustapha Muhammad brings a wealth of experience in strategic communication, media relations, and public affairs management. His appointment signals a new era of professional and transparent media engagement for the Kano State Government, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to effective communication and public enlightenment.
Congratulations, Oga!
Dr Isah Nasidi, is a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja and a media consultant. isanyaya@gmail.com