In October 2003, the senior management and the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority was dismissed.

He joined the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1961 as a clerk, and was appointed to progressively more senior positions over the next twenty years.

From 1980 to 1984 he was the Nigerian Ports Authority's Representative to London.

From 1975 to 1982, Dr. Tukur served as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Before election to the Senate, he was General Manager, Special Duties, Nigerian Ports Authority and a Company Chairman.

The first of these 3 new organizations was the Nigerian Ports Authority, which was charged with the running of ports and ensuring safe navigation.

Usman introduced a system of performance-based budgeting and pursued various economic reforms such as reducing the average Nigerian Ports Clearing time from approx.

He worked in the Nigerian-based ""Nigerian Ports Authority"".

Served as Harbour Master of various Pilotage Districts for 18 years in the Nigerian Ports Authority.

After he retired from Military service, he went into private enterprise as a stevedore with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).