Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 52 years of experience, the expert is proficient in agriculture and rural development, project management, and institutional development. Career highlights include leading significant projects with international and local organizations, such as the World Bank and European Union, achieving substantial improvements in irrigation management and farmer capacity building. Notable accomplishments include developing water user associations and training thousands of farmers. Responsibilities have included strategic planning, conflict resolution, and capacity development across diverse sectors, reflecting the expert's leadership roles such as Field Operations Manager and Lead Consultant.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as the World Bank, European Union, and DFID. The expert's involvement includes implementing projects like the World Bank–European Union funded study on local governance reform in Jigawa State and the DFID-ENABLE2 project for public-private dialogue in agriculture. These collaborations focused on capacity building, governance, and agricultural development on a national scale in Nigeria, particularly in regions such as Kano and Jigawa States. The expert's role encompassed technical assistance and strategic management in these sectors.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in key sectors including agriculture, rural development, water and sanitation, and environmental management, the expert has held roles such as Field Operations Manager and Management Consultant. These roles involved leading projects that integrate infrastructure development in rural settings. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise spans project management, capacity building, and institutional development, with a focus on improving agricultural practices and irrigation management. The geographic scope of the expert's work is primarily country-specific to Nigeria, with significant contributions to regional development initiatives. Extensive geographic experience in Nigeria includes a focus on regions such as Kano, Sokoto, and Jigawa States. The expert has developed a nuanced understanding of the cultural and regional dynamics in these areas, contributing to successful project outcomes and sustainable development initiatives.

Languages and education

With a background in language proficiency, the expert is fluent in English and Hausa, with a working proficiency in Arabic. English has been used extensively in professional settings, including international development projects and collaborations with multilingual teams. The expert's language skills have facilitated effective communication and project implementation in diverse cultural and linguistic environments. The expert holds a Master of Arts in Rural Social Development from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, specializing in rural sociology, management, and organization. Additionally, the expert obtained a Higher National Diploma in General Agriculture from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, with a focus on agricultural extension and agronomy. These academic credentials underscore a strong foundation in rural development and agricultural studies.