 After completing his school certificate examinations in December 1959, Mutallab began work as a clerk with the firm of Pannell, Fitzpatrick and Company in Kaduna in January 1960.He then travelled for further studies, returning to Nigeria in 1968, when he was appointed Chief Accountant of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.In 1971, he became the financial controller of the New Nigerian Development Company in Kaduna, before becoming the companies General Manager in 1975.