Once in a while, nature flexes its creative muscle by bestowing on a community galaxy of stars that shine and outshine all others around. Some may come in forms of twins or triplets or quadruplets. Others may come in form of siblings of two or three or more. They are compellingly engaging, sui generis and undeniably influential.
The TUMSAH brothers include Ibrahim Musa Tumsah, Tijjani Musa Tumsah, Kashim Musah Tumsah and their lesser known brother are an example
The Tumsahs are from Yobe in Northeastern Nigeria. They have undoubtedly etched their names into achievement records in the country and have made a success of every assignment given to them which in a way has helped them to rise in the nation’s political ladder.
Their father, a late pharmacist and one of the earliest Northerners to practice the profession in the North built many of the renowned practitioners of the trade up North today. This in a way has helped his sons who have since planted their own seeds of industriousness.
The eldest, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah retired not long ago as a Director in the Federal Civil Service.
Born on the 24th of April, 1960, Ibrahim Tumsah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Maiduguri and is a Certified Public Accountant of Nigeria (CPAN) and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountant of Nigeria (ANAN).
He served as Deputy Accountant General in Yobe State after being an Accountant, Chief Accountant and Director of Finance after starting his career from old Borno State before transferring his service to the Federal Civil Service as Assistant Director (Accounts), in 1995.
He served in different capacities in the Accounts Departments of various ministries, such as the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Police Affairs heading divisions and departments of Finance and Accounts. He rose to the Post of Deputy Director (Accounts) in 2004 and in 2008 he was promoted Director (Accounts), Grade Level 17 and posted to the Federal Ministry of Works as Director (Finance and Accounts) in May, 2010.
He subsequently retired and has since been very visible in the affairs of his home state. Indeed, he was sometimes in July this year honoured for his role back home by the Emir of Bade, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman OON, who officially conferred the prestigious traditional title of Dan Majen Bade on the seasoned financial administrator and respected indigene of Yobe State.
In a colorful ceremony held in Gashua, the historic headquarters of both the Bade Emirate Council and Bade Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Tumsah was joined by family members, friends, well-wishers, and prominent dignitaries to express his deep gratitude and pay a thank-you visit to the royal palace.
It’s not only Ibrahim Tumsah that is flying high. His brothers are also making waves.
His younger brother, Tijanni Musa Tumsah otherwise known as TMT is also very popular. TMT was the pioneer National Secretary of the APC. Before then he held the same post in the defunct ANPP from where he moved to the ruling party after the coalition of three different units to form APC.
Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsah is a seasoned administrator and development strategist. He has held high-level roles including Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) and the Victims Support Fund (VSF), where he oversaw impactful humanitarian and recovery programs. He previously served as Commissioner in multiple ministries in Yobe State. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Directors and a graduate of Malone University, Ohio, Alhaji Tumsah has over four decades of experience across governance, business, and humanitarian sectors, with a strong record of delivering results in complex environments. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Psychology from Malone University, Canton Ohio (1983) and a certificate in Strategic Business Management from Stockholm, Sweden (2006).
He is presently the Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority
And then there is Kashim Musa Tumsah, MFR
A detribalised Nigerian, 52 year old Kashim is one of the few Nigerian professionals who is a diplomat, petroleum lawyer, farmer and a Boundary expert.
Kashim Musa Tumsah, had his primary education in Maiduguri and attended the prestigious Kings College Lagos for his secondary education. He obtained his first degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, winning three prizes as best student in civil and criminal procedures, respectively.
Thereafter, he attended the University of Dundee, Scotland where he obtained a Masters degree in Resources Law and Policy, passing with Distinction. Majorly he has also been very impactful in public service.
Kashim Musa Tumsah trained in Resources Law and Policy (where he passed with Distinction) with a bias in Oil and Gas. He is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, AIPN, and also of Energy Institute UK, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, African Bar Association, ABA, and International Bar Association, IBA, amongst many other professional associations. He has over 35 years of post-call experience at the Nigeria Bar.
He is a retired diplomat who served during his career as Member/Secretary to the Nigerian Technical Committee on International Boundary Negotiations (1997-2005) leading to the demarcation/delimitation of Nigeria’s international land and maritime boundaries.
Tumsah was also a counsel and secretary to the Nigerian Legal/Expert team to the International Court of Justice in the Nigeria-Cameroon Boundary Dispute case in addition to participating in the resolution of many internal boundary disputes in Nigeria, in addition to being the Special Assistant to the Director General, National Boundary Commission (1999-2002).
He was also the pioneer Legal Adviser of the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority, JDA, 2002 – 2005 and was later appointed to serve as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration and Secretary of the Board and Joint Ministerial Council of the JDA from October 2010 – January 2018 when he voluntarily disengaged from the JDA.
In 2023 he was named as a member of the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation limited, NNPCL,. He remained on the board till earlier this year when the President dissolved the board.
In and out of government however, he, like his older brothers have been reaching out to the people of the State.
His impact is already visible, especially in education. One standout example is Tumsah’s sponsorship of a comprehensive three-day tutorial programme for students preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams — a significant step toward boosting academic achievement and expanding access to quality education in Yobe. Beyond education, Tumsah’s influence reaches many communities — including Dapchi, Turbangida, Matti, Umarari, Goniri, Mangari, Bayamari, Damaya, Ajiri, Garin Aduwa, Aji Dawari, Kaliyari, Harunari, Kakanderi, and Juluri — through his Light Up Yobe Initiative, which provides solar-powered water systems and street lighting. These projects aim to ensure access to clean water and modern infrastructure, especially in areas most in need. Moreover, Tumsah is using digital technology to broaden educational opportunities, preparing the youth of Yobe State for a future filled with promise.
