Tapgun worked with the civil service for 27 years...He ran successfully for Governor of Plateau State on the Social Democratic Party platform, taking office in January 1992.
He announced formation of two new standardization bodies to help improve quality,[8] In September 2005, speaking at the launch of a N5.6 billion all steel radial truck factory built by Dunlop Plc, Nigeria, he claimed that growth in capacity utilization in the steel industry showed that recent reforms had made Nigeria a more business-friendly environment.
[9] In December 2005, Tapgun emphasized the importance of the private sector in developing the country, and said the government would continue to support private-sector initiatives.
[10] In July 2006, with soaring cement prices due to lack of supply, Tapgun was head of an inter-ministerial committee to assess the investors in the industry.
[15] In February 2010, Tapgun was appointed co-chairman of a 15-member committee set up to find an enduring solution to the constant crises in the North Central Nigerian city of Jos, Plateau state.