Our Team
Abba Habib Anwar – Chairman Board of Trustees
A veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in journalism, governance communication, and development advocacy. Abba has worked with national and international media organisations and has served as a Chief Press Secretary to Kano State Governor, 2018 -2023, where he pioneered innovative governance communication strategies. He brings to SCIMDER an exceptional blend of media experience, policy insight, and grassroots advocacy.
Dr. Muhammad Hamisu Sani — Executive Director
Dr. Sani is an accomplished communication scholar and practitioner specializing in crisis communication, media and conflict, strategic communication, and development communication. He earned his Ph.D from Howard University, Washington, D.C., and has taught and conducted research at several leading universities in North America, including Morgan State University, Baltimore; University of Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Queen’s University, Ontario.
Dr. Isah Nasidi – Board Secretary
Dr. Nasidi is a seasoned researcher with a PhD in Mass Communication. He has extensive expertise in media research, social media studies, AI literacy, data analytics, and science communication. His passion lies in bridging the gap between academia and society by deploying communication for development, democracy, and innovation. Through SCIMDER, he champions the vision of building a Sahelian-driven research hub for media and communication, combining scholarship with practical impact.
Prof. Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim – Project Manager
Prof. Ibrahim is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and an internationally recognised scientist listed among the top 2% of scientists in the world (Elsevier/Stanford ranking). He has extensive experience in drug discovery, academic research, and scientific publishing. At SCIMDER, he provides leadership in research integrity, monitoring, and evidence-based evaluation, ensuring the organisation’s projects achieve measurable impact.
Dr. Najib Usman Muhammad – Consultant, Health Sector Development
Dr. Najib is a medical doctor, social entrepreneur, and CEO of eHealth360, a health innovation enterprise operating in four African countries. He is widely recognised for his work in public health, digital health solutions, and medical entrepreneurship. At SCIMDER, he advises on health communication, policy advocacy, and medical innovation, ensuring health remains central to development in the Sahel.