Brief on the Directorate of Research

DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH

BACKGROUND

The Directorate of Research is mandated, to organize and carry out, on an interdisciplinary basis in intellectual support of those charged with making and implementing policy for Nigeria, in-depth research into the social, economic, political, security, scientific, cultural and other problems facing the country, and to formulate and present, in usable form, the available options for their solution. this, no doubt is derived from the Institute’s mandate which is “to serve as a high-level Center of reflection, research, and dialogue where academics of intellectual excellence, policy initiators and executors and other citizens with a high level of practical experience and wisdom drawn from different sectors of national life in Nigeria would meet to reflect and exchange ideas on the great issues of society, particularly as they relate to Nigeria and Africa, in the context of the dynamics of a constantly changing world.”


Dr. Umar is a Senior Fellow and Chief Operating Officer of the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre, NIPSS. He was appointed Acting Director of Research at the National Institute, Kuru, in March 2024. He holds a B.A Combined Honors (History/Political Science) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, M.Sc. and PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies from University of Jos, Nigeria.  He was a Training and Development Officer with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Jos, before joining the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He has published book chapters and journal articles in areas relating to economic development, public policy, security, ethnic conflicts, citizenship, civil society and democracy, national integration, federalism, political parties, and China-Africa Cooperation. He has served as a researcher, consultant, and facilitator to several national and international research projects and training programmes. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA. A recipient of the Development Diplomacy for Peace and Security Course Fellowship at Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana, sponsored by the German International Organization (GIZ). He attended the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program on Applying Behavioral Insights to the Design of Public Policy Course, 2018

The Behavioral Insights Team Training on Applying Behavioral Insights for the Design of Public Programs and Communications, 2019. Dr. Umar attended the Senior Executive Course 44, 2022, of the National Institute, Kuru, where he was awarded a member national institute (mni) certificate. He is a recipient of The October 1 Award of China-Nigeria Friendship in recognition of valuable contribution to China-Nigeria Friendship by The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Nigeria, 1st October 2021.

Fellow of Institute of Management Consultant (FIMC) and a Chartered Management Consultant (CMC), Member, Nigeria Political Science Association, Member, International Political Science Association and Member, Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria. He is married to Rebecca Ufuoma and blessed with two sets of twins (three boys and a girl). His hobbies include Playing Golf, watching football, and listening to gospel music.

ACTIVITIES

Within the last five years, the Directorate of Research has carried out several workshops and conferences culminating into the publication of six (6) books arising from these conferences. The Directorate has also, as part of it’s mandate, consistently organized the Distinguished Annual Lecture where outstanding personalities are invited to speak on topical national issues.

Academic staff of the Directorate have also been involved in the activities of the Studies Directorate where Fellows are invited to present lectures, supervise Participants’ essays, attend plenary and also make interventions where called upon. Academic staff also participate in the Study Tours of the Senior Executive Course where they handle the academic aspects of the tours. They are also involved in activities of the NIPSS Consult where they handle some Modules of the Policy, Leadership and Strategy Course (PLSC).

Academic staff of the Directorate have equally participated in conferences and workshops organized by other institutions and organizations both within and outside the country. Staff of the Directorate of Research are also involved in the annual Crisis Game simulated aimed at exposing participants to modern techniques of conflict and crises resolution in order to provide practical skills that would be useful in tackling actual conflict and crises resolution.

COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

The Research Directorate has been involved in collaborative activities with other institutions both within and outside the country towards achieving it’s mandate. Among institutions collaborated with are:

a. Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution

b. development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) Kano

c. Daily Trust

d. The Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Learning, Evidencing and Advocacy Partnership (LEAP), which is a pillar of the DFID-funded public sector reform programme

POLITICAL PARTIES LEADERSHIP AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (PPLPDC)

The Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre (PPLPDC) was created in 2015 after winning a grant from the European Union (EU) to promote an inclusive democracy in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, deepened by strong, issue-based political parties whose policies serve teh interest of citizens. Teh Vision of teh Centre is to build teh capacity of political parties and leaders for an inclusive democracy, serving teh needs of citizens by networking wif national, regional and global partners, undertaking research, training, conferences, and workshops. The main objectives of the PPLPDC is to strengthen the leadership and organizational capacities of political parties as institutional foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that political parties are policy-oriented, responsive, inclusive and more accountable to their members and the society. The Centre has been involved in organizing conferences and workshops for political parties. A recent major activity of the Center is it’s participation in the 2019 General Elections Observation which report will soon be presented.