Dr. Misbahu Saidu | Economic History | Best Researcher Award

Federal University of Kashere | Nigeria

Dr. Misbahu Saidu is a distinguished Lecturer in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Federal University of Kashere, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Economic History from the Ahmadu Bello University, with a research focus on industrialization and infrastructure development in Northern Nigeria. With over 20 scholarly publications and presentations at major international conferences across Africa and Asia, Dr. Saidu’s work bridges history and economic policy. He has received multiple grants and fellowships from esteemed institutions such as the British Academy and the African School of Economics. He has served in various academic and administrative roles, including Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations, and Partnerships, and Internal Examiner for postgraduate theses. Dr. Saidu’s research combines fieldwork with rigorous archival analysis, advancing discourse on Nigeria’s post-colonial development. He is an active member of professional bodies including the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Educational Background

Dr. Misbahu Saidu’s academic journey reflects a steadfast commitment to scholarly excellence, beginning at Model Primary School, Gombe State (1994–2000) where he earned his First Leaving School Certificate. He proceeded to Government Day Secondary School (Pilot), Gombe (2000–2006) and obtained his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Certificate. He then advanced to Gombe State University, graduating with a B.A. in History (Second Class Upper Division) in 2010. Eager to integrate technology with his academic path, he acquired a Diploma in Computer Science from Zamnet Computer Training Centre, Gusau (2010–2011). His postgraduate studies were completed at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned an M.A. in Economic History (2015) and a PhD in Economic History with a focus on Industrialization and Infrastructure in 2022. These academic milestones not only underscore his deep intellectual grounding but also position him as a thought leader in historical and development research in Nigeria.

Awards

Dr. Misbahu Saidu has been the recipient of numerous prestigious travel grants and research awards, highlighting his active engagement in global academic discourse. In 2025 alone, he secured travel grants to attend the JPS Africa Writeshop in Critical Agrarian Studies at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa; the African School of Economics Summer School in Zanzibar, Tanzania; the MIASA Writing School and the CERTIZENS West Africa Regional Workshop, both in Accra, Ghana; and the Public Health Humanities Network event by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in collaboration with the Lagos Studies Association. Earlier, in 2024, he participated in the YSI Bootcamp for Early Career Scholars in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and a workshop hosted by York University, Canada. He also attended the “Chinese in Africa and Africans in China” Research Network Workshop (2023) and a British Academy Writing Workshop in Ibadan. Notably, he was awarded the TETFund Institution-Based Research Award as Principal Researcher in 2018.

Experience

Dr. Misbahu Saidu has conducted extensive fieldwork focused on industrial development and community impact across Gombe State. As Principal Researcher under a TETFund IBR Grant, he led data collection at Balanga Dam (May–Dec 2018), uncovering the role of water resources in proposed industrial projects and political factors in project failure, culminating in a published article and dissemination of findings to government ministries. In 2019, as a PhD candidate, he conducted fieldwork at Dadinkowa Dam, analyzing water policy reforms and their implications for agriculture and industry, resulting in a thesis on infrastructure’s role in industrial development (1963–2019), which earned him a British Academy Travel Grant. Earlier, from Dec 2009 to June 2010, he investigated the impact of Ashaka Cement Company, revealing land and water issues affecting farming communities. His advocacy helped initiate the first Community Development Agreement, securing ₦500 million for local development.

Research Focus

Dr. Misbahu Saidu’s research primarily revolves around industrialization, economic history, and development policy with a strong geographical focus on Gombe State and Northern Nigeria. His work critically examines the historical, political, and socio-economic factors influencing industrial growth, with particular emphasis on infrastructure development, institutional challenges, and the role of governance. Key themes include the impact of colonial legacies, post-independence political regimes, and local politics on industrial policy and economic marginalization. His studies also explore the dynamics between urbanization and industrial lag, environmental consequences of industrial projects, and community development negotiations. Furthermore, Dr. Saidu delves into corruption as a structural impediment to industrial progress and evaluates foreign relations in industrial sectors, notably Nigeria-India ties. Through journal articles, historical analyses, and fieldwork, he contributes significantly to understanding the interplay of history, policy, and socio-political structures in shaping industrial development in Nigeria. His research offers valuable insights for regional planning and industrial policy reform.

Publication Top Notes

• Interrogating the Causes of Industrial Apathy in Gombe, North East Nigeria
  Citation: 2 | Year: 2021

• Colonialism and Emasculation of Political and Religious Institutions in Northern Nigeria
  Citation: 1 | Year: 2021

• Challenges and Prospects of Infrastructure Development in Gombe Metropolis, North East Nigeria
  Citation: 1 | Year: 2021

• Industrial Propaganda: Exploring Politics of Reviving Manto Processing Company in Gombe, North East Nigeria
  Citation: 1 | Year: 2020

• Snail Pace Industrialization Versus Breath-Taking Urbanization: The Dilemma of a Neo Colonial City, Gombe, 1996–2011
  Citation: 1 | Year: 2016

Conclusion

Dr. Misbahu Saidu is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, especially in categories focusing on economic history, African development, industrialization, and infrastructure studies. His research is thematically rich, methodologically grounded, and policy-relevant, backed by strong academic service, leadership, and international engagement. With strategic enhancement in global partnerships and broader dissemination of his work, Dr. Saidu stands out as a strong candidate deserving of recognition at national and continental levels.