Umar was born and brought up in Nigeria. He spent several years of progressive experience in both clinical and preventive health services. He obtained a PhD in Global Health Governance, Masters in Public Health (MPH); Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health (PGDPH), Post Graduate Diploma in Public Admin (PGDPA), Graduate Diploma in Accident & Emergency Nursing (A&E), BSC Nursing, Registered Nurse (RN), and Community Health Extension Work (CHEW) respectively, in addition to several offline and online self-development courses. He has also worked in public, private, civil society organizations and academic sectors: Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State; Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCTA – Abuja, Nigeria; International Health Management Services Limited, Lagos, Nigeria; Nigerian Navy; and Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Human Services; as well as in Abubuwa Societal Development Initiative, a non-governmental organization; International Institute for Global Health, Malaysia and Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney, Australia. The highlighted work experience and academic background enables him understand the prerogative of primary healthcare system and research processes and procedures. His experience working in Africa, Asia and Pacific made him an ideal AfroPHC EXCO candidate.