Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha: The trailblazing odyssey of the first female Supreme Court Chief Registrar, by Fatima Adamu.
It is said, “When life throws bricks at you, use them to make castles”. The journey of this enigmatic, gap-toothed amiable beauty with brains has proven that.
It was a journey filled with lifetime achievements that took this legal luminary, Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha, from a “new silk” into the four walls of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, at the heart of the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, to serve as its first female Chief Registrar from the north of the Niger.
Born on August 8, 1961, in the peaceful Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria, her life is revealed as a testimony to a strong will and a consistency towards excellence.
Early years and education
Hadiza’s educational odyssey commenced at Yerwa Practicing Primary School, Maiduguri, culminating in a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) from the University of Maiduguri in 1984. Beautified with her Barrister at Law (BL) qualification in 1985 from the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos, Hadizatu started a journey that would weave through the intricate but noble Nigeria’s Legal System.
Career Pursuits
Hadizatu’s contributions extended to serving on various committees, showcasing her multifaceted dedication.
With each step, she left an indelible mark, delving into public prosecution, legal advice to the police, and even prosecuting civil cases and election petitions.
Her legal acumen first graced the National Youth Service Corps at Buba Aliyu & Co Chambers, Kano, in 1986. Subsequently, she embarked on a distinguished career at the Ministry of Justice, Maiduguri, where her roles advanced from State Counsel to Acting Director at the Citizens’ Rights Department.
Bridging Law and Administration
Breaking barriers and venturing beyond legal corridors, she assumed the role of Chief Enterprise Officer at the Bureau of Public Enterprises in Abuja from 2000 to 2004. There, she skilfully explored the complexities of privatization, from reviewing memoranda to handling legal issues with finesse.
Her versatile career encompassed roles such as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Borno State, Senior Special Assistant (Admin) to the Executive Governor of Borno State, and Director of Legal Services at the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission.
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Leadership Transcending Boundaries
Women have always been set silent boundaries in every ramification of their lives, especially at places of work but Hadizatu breached those shackles to reach the apex of her career.
Her prowess reached new heights as she steered the Monday Market Company Limited as its Company Secretary and later assumed the role of General Manager at the Maiduguri International Hotel from 2007 to 2011. Her managerial skills brought order and efficiency to the hotel’s administration.
The Sharia Court of Appeal in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, witnessed her as the Deputy Chief Registrar, overseeing works and services, and later in procurement from 2011 to 2017. Her journey culminated in her appointment as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2017, a position she held with distinction until August 2021 when she retired after reaching the age of retirement.
Humility despite power and influence
According to Lanre Adewole, “As the most senior administrative officer of the court, second only to the Chief Justice in decision-making as well as serving as the secretary to the “powerful” Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee (LLPC), which handles the yearly appointment of senior advocates, the chief registrar of the apex court, is possibly only second in prestige, to the secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
“The occupant of the office practically runs the apex court, horizontally and vertically, and all the who-is-who at the Nigerian Bar, get to relate with him or her, for obvious reasons, as the chief registrar is the actual king when it is nomination cycle for SANship since the office serves as the secretariat. The office is equally central to the proceedings for imposition of sanctions on erring lawyers.
“Apart from being the administrative head of the apex court, the chief registrar is also the chief accounting officer, making the office, the clearing house for all financial matters, before the endorsement of the Chief Justice. As the chief accounting officer of the court, all contractual agreements also go through the chief registrar as a matter of necessity, which also puts the occupant in charge of the yearly budget of the apex court, in the count of billions of naira.”
Yet despite all these trappings, all those who came into contact with Hajiya Hadizatu Mustapha came out of that meeting attesting to her humility and humbleness.
Global Engagement and Expertise
Hadizatu’s pursuit of knowledge spans continents, with her attending workshops, conferences, and training sessions in Uganda, the USA, the UK, Greece, India, and the UAE. From legal regulatory issues to project management, she has consistently enriched her expertise.
Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha is a beacon of multicultural fluency as she’s fluent in both English and Hausa. She stands not just as a legal luminary but as a symbol of the harmonious blending of tradition and modernity.
Beyond the Courtroom
Her journey continued beyond the confines of legal institutions, with her assuming the role of the National Coordinator and Chairperson of the Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha (HUM) National Support Group for Tinubu and Kashim in 2023.
Aware also of her peaceful nature and expertise in alternative dispute resolutions, the All Progressive Party (APC) leadership appointed her to its committee for reconciliation and dispute resolutions.
In November 2023, considering her “distinguished lifestyle, self-development, and extensive experience”, she was appointed to the Governing Council of Philomath University, Abuja.
A biography of life, ” Hadizatu U. Mustapha: From Head Girl to Supreme Court“, was launched recently in Abuja.
The author of the book, Adekanmbi, said: “I was fascinated by the story of how Hajiya Hadizatu Mustapha’s parents, her father especially saw far into the future and accurately predicted her rise to the peak of her career. I was also fascinated by how she effortlessly builds and maintains a formidable network of friends and associates across socio-economic classes just by being so caring, hardworking and unassuming.”
On her part, she confessed that she “agreed to the proposal to tell my story because it helps to illustrate my firm belief that the girl-child in Nigeria can achieve her best, if given the kind of unwavering support that I got from my parents,” adding, “The book will help to fully clarify my passion for promoting the interest of the girl child.”
The event which attracted a host of dignitaries, including prominent legal luminaries, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps showcased an enlightening and inspiring account of her remarkable journey from her humble beginnings as a Head Girl in secondary school, Government Girls’ College, Maiduguri, to her illustrious career in the legal profession.
As she embarks on a new chapter post-retirement, Hadizatu’s legacy remains etched in the annals of Nigeria’s legal and administrative history. A woman of substance, she exemplifies the heights achievable through dedication, humility, intellect, and an unwavering commitment to service.
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