In the dynamic world of construction and project management, some individuals don’t just follow the blueprints; they design new ones. One such trailblazer is Muritala Omeiza Umar, a name now proudly etched among the winners of the 2022 City People Outstanding Talents Award. Umar’s selection is no surprise to those familiar with his career. What makes his story exceptional is not just the scale of the projects he has led, but the legacy of discipline, leadership, and innovation he has established over the years.
With over a decade and a half of hands-on experience managing complex, multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects, Umar exemplifies the ideal that this award was designed to celebrate: a relentless commitment to excellence, national development, and professional integrity.
The Journey of a Master Builder
Long before accolades came calling, Umar laid the foundation of his career with a Bachelor of Technology in Physics Electronics from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2008. But the real architecture of his success was built through practical grit and continuous education.
By 2022, Umar had already amassed multiple professional qualifications that placed him at the forefront of the global construction management landscape. Among them were the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, MCIOB from the Chartered Institute of Building, and recognition from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Each of these isn’t merely a title; they are proof of Umar’s mastery in disciplines ranging from delay analysis and claim assessment to schedule optimisation and forensic planning.
A Career That Built Cities—Literally
By the time the City People Awards opened their nomination for 2022, Umar had already left an indelible mark across several landmark projects in Nigeria and Qatar. His role as Senior Project Control and Planning Manager at Altman Trading and Contracting W.L.L. saw him orchestrating the timely and efficient delivery of high-stakes civil infrastructure.
Among his most notable contributions was his involvement in the Construction of Sewage Pumping Station PS 25/9A at Katara, a complex project aimed at upgrading the sanitation infrastructure for future developments in a rapidly urbanizing area of Doha. This project, for a client as demanding as Ashghal (Public Works Authority), required not just engineering knowledge but masterful coordination, risk management, and real-time project control.
Equally impressive was Umar’s leadership on the Umm Al-Dome Street and Muaither Street Upgrade Project, valued at QAR 166 million. The initiative aimed at reducing urban congestion and enhancing transportation infrastructure in commercial zones. By executing intricate tasks such as signal-controlled intersection installations, landscaping, and storm drainage upgrades, Umar helped shape smoother traffic and better daily experiences for thousands of residents.
Earlier in his career, Umar also played vital roles in the Doha Metro Green Line Major Stations, Al-Khoor Expressway, and QNCC Plant #5 in Umm Bab, among others. From MEP installations at the US Military Airbase to high-rise luxury towers like the Waldorf Astoria West Bay, he consistently demonstrated his ability to translate complex engineering goals into functional, timely, and cost-effective realities.
The Award Selection: Rigor Meets Merit
Winning the City People Outstanding Talents Award is not a matter of visibility; it’s a matter of verifiable impact. The selection process is among the most stringent in the country, involving multiple phases of evaluation.
Nominees are first identified by peer professionals and industry leaders based on criteria including leadership, technical innovation, national development contributions, and mentorship. These nominations undergo a review process by an elite panel of experts who scrutinize each candidate’s portfolio, project outcomes, public impact, and ethical standing.
For Umar, the panel was reportedly impressed by his deep versatility, his proven track record across roadworks, high-rise buildings, environmental systems, and MEP coordination, and his commitment to professional development. His dual strength in both field execution and strategic planning made his portfolio stand out in a sea of competent but narrowly focused candidates.
Most importantly, Umar was celebrated not for a single project or moment of brilliance, but for a sustained record of excellence, one that spanned more than a decade of real-world impact, under pressure and across borders.
Why Umar’s Win Matters
In recognising Umar, the City People Awards also sent a message: that quiet leadership, long-term consistency, and results-driven professionalism are just as award-worthy as public-facing personalities. In an era where shortcuts often gain attention, Umar’s win was a victory for every professional who chooses quality over convenience and who leads from the front silently but powerfully.
His win also serves as inspiration for upcoming engineers and project managers in Nigeria and beyond, affirming that one can gain international acclaim while staying grounded in professional ethics and a passion for learning.
Final Words: Foundations of the Future
As the spotlight from the 2022 City People Awards dims, Umar Muritala continues building not just structures, but legacies. His work is far from done. But if the past is any indicator, whatever he touches next will not just meet expectations; it will redefine them.
In a world where the real heroes wear hard hats and carry blueprints, Umar stands tall, not just as a builder of structures, but as a builder of standards.
