Director of Research and Studies
Prof. Muhammad Kabir Isa
Muhammad Kabir Isa is a Professor of Governance, Development & Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (BSc (1989), MSc (1994), & PhD (2010)) from Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria – Nigeria. He has been an Academic Staff in the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, since September 1992 and was a visiting lecturer of Political Science at Gombe State University, 2006 to 2017. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Development Studies, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja; Visiting Professor of Politics and International Relations at Newgate University, Minna, Niger State. Recently on Sabbatical leave at the Department of Political Science, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA). He was until recently, (2017 to 2021), the former Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ABU Zaria.
Prof. M. K. Isa has had over two and half decades of extensive research and publication experiences, especially in the field of Social Movements and Social Transformations with specific focus on Management of Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts; Age and Youth Studies; Social Change; Conflict and Peace Studies; Development and Underdevelopment; Islamism (Political Islam), Terrorism and Militancy; Countering Violent Extremism; and Local Government and Management Administration.
Prof. M. K. Isa has had cause to participate in several international research endeavours, conferences and workshops, arising from which, he had published several articles and chapters in books such as:
- Nigerian Local Government System and Governance: Lessons, Prospects and Challenges for Post 2015 Development Goals
- Militant Ethnic Movement and Youth Sub-Culture of Violence in Nigerian cities: What Future for Democracy;
- The Youth and Militant Ethnic Movements in Nigeria: The Search for Survival and Identity,
- AlieNation: The State of Koma in Nigeria” in a Book Titled “Encountering the State in Nigeria”;
- Militant Islamic Movements in Northern Nigeria; and
- Militant Islamist Movement of Libya (LIFG) – Published by Institute of Security Studies, Pretoria and Addis Abba respectively – July & Dec 2010;
- The State, Social Movements and Globalisation: The Recurrent of Militant Islamic Groups in Northern Nigeria” 2008;
- Identity Politics and Transformations in Contemporary Nigeria: The Islamic Shariah as Religious and/or the Politics of Masquerading, 2009.
Accordingly, he has participated in several international conferences, some of which includes the following International Conferences across continents:
- The Danish Cartoon Conference at American University Beirut, 2011;
- IRSPM Research Conference, UK, April 2015;
- USIP-RESSOLVE Conference, IPI New York, Sept 2015;
- HEDAYAH-RESOLVE CVE Conference, New York University, Abu Dhabi 2015.
- Association of African Political Science – West Africa Chapter maiden edition Workshop on ECOWAS, 2024
- Nigeria Political Science Workshop on Local Government Autonomy, 2024
Prof. Muhammad Kabir Isa is a highly motivated and accomplished academician, renowned for his exceptional contributions in the field of governance, development and local government administration. In addition to his scholarly endeavours, Prof. Isa has also been actively involved in consultancy projects, providing expert advice and support to various governmental and non-governmental organizations. His consultancy initiatives have focused on enhancing governance structures, improving service delivery, and strengthening local government institutions. He has worked closely with esteemed donors and development partners, leveraging their support to implement projects that promote sustainable development and good governance practices. Some of the prominent organizations he has collaborated with include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Department for International Development (DFID), and the World Bank.
He is currently a member of a research network in Africa, UNESCO-MOST Ethno-net network; member, International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM) 2015, and a pioneer think-tank member of RESOLVE (Researching Solutions to Violent Extremism) Network, (USIP) 2015, New York, USA. Member Nigeria Political Science Association and Pioneer Member of Association of African Political Science, West Africa Zone, 2024.