Idris Olubola Musa was born on September 17, 1957, in Ife-Olukotun, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Geography from the University of Ibadan. Additionally, he has earned two Master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA) as well as Urban and Regional Planning (M.URP) from the University of Ilorin and the University of Ibadan, respectively. He also possesses several professional certifications and memberships, both locally and internationally.
He has approximately 40 years experience in various roles in both the private and public sectors. He began his career in 1980 as the Executive Director (Operations and Accounts) at Oluyori Bottling Industry Nigeria Ltd., Isanlu. Later, in 1989, he moved to Virgen Nigeria Ltd., Ilorin as the Executive Director (Management Consultancy). In 1996, he transitioned to the public service as an Environmental Scientist in the former Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), and later to the Federal Ministry of Environment. In 2004, he was the first staff to head the Oil Spill Detection and Response (OSDR) Department at the newly established National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). He was promoted to the position of Director in NOSDRA in 2008. He became Director of Oil Field Assessment in 2011 following departmental restructuring.
Mr. Musa retired from his position at NOSDRA in September 2017. Known for his vibrant and energetic personality, he was appointed as the Head of Operations of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Port Harcourt in the same year. He was later appointed the Director General/Chief Executive of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in March 2019 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
Mr. Idris Musa has extensive experience in oil spill management and has served on various committees, including the Committee that worked on the preparation of documents leading to the establishment of NOSDRA. Additionally, he has contributed to numerous projects and research that have led to significant developmental achievements in Nigeria. Mr. Musa has also participated in various international trainings, seminars, and workshops.
He represents Nigeria on the Ten-Man Board of Pollution Crime Working Group of the International Police (INTERPOL) and has received multiple awards in recognition of his service, including the Bureau of Public Service Reforms Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer Award and the Nigerian Environmental Society Honorary Fellow (FNES) HON in October 2023.
Idris Olubola Musa is happily married with children.