Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, SAN was born on January 8, 1964 in Gawu-Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. He had his primary education at Marafa Primary School, Sokoto State (1971–1975) and later obtained his Teacher's Grade II Certificate from the Government Science Teacher's College, Wushishi (1977–1982).

In 1983, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University and obtained a Diploma in Law. He thereafter enrolled at the University of Maiduguri in 1986 and obtained his Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B). In 1990 he was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

Magaji has considerable experience locally and internationally in dispute resolution and mediation. He set up a law office in 1989 with particular focus on criminal law, oil and gas, aviation and international law, as well as property and election petitions. He is the Principal Partner at Mahmud & Co (Rahusa Chambers).

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association; Member, International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI); Member, British Institute of International and Comparative Law; and Member, International Institute for Arbitration, London. Mahmud was elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2012 and appointed to the FJSC on 21st February 2022.