Muhammad Usman Shanu was born on 11th July, 1967 at Bage, Funakaye Local Government of Gombe. He attended Bage Primary School from 1973 – 1979, and Government Secondary Nafada from 1979 – 1984. He then proceeded to Bauchi College of Arts and Sciences (BACAS) from 1986 -1988. In 1988 he enrolled in University of Maiduguri and graduated with a degree in B.Sc. Public Administration in 1991. He served his NYSC with Ministry of Information in Ogun State in 1991 – 1992. Mr Muhammad went ahead and furthered his education in 2004 to 2005 and obtained a PGDAPA Certificate with ASCON; and obtained a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) in University of Maiduguri.
He started his working career as administrative Officer, at Nafada Local Govt. former Bauchi state then later rose to the rank of Secretary in which he serve in various Local Governments such as Funakaye, Balanga, Billiri, Dukku and lastly at Nafada where he transfer his service to Gombe State Government in 2017 as Director General Duties (SSG OFFICE), Government House Gombe.