Umaru Abdul Mutallab ( born 15 December 1939 ) is a Nigerian business and banking leader , and former minister of Economic Development under the military government of Murtala Mohammed . He played a major role in introducing Islamic banking into Nigeria . Mutallab was described by '' The New York Times '' as " among Nigeria 's richest and most prominent men , " by '' The Telegraph '' as being " one of Nigeria 's most prominent bankers " , and by '' The Guardian '' as being " one of the country 's most respected businessmen " . Mutallab 's son , Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab , is a student who attempted to detonate plastic explosives aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on 25 December 2009
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Umaru Mutallab