Nigeria
Open Science Symposium

Professor Tahir Mamman is the new Minister of Education of Nigeria. He is a lawyer, professor, and academic. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Warwick, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same university.

Mamman has held several positions in the education sector, including Director-General of the Nigerian Law School (2005-2013), Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja (2013-2023), and Member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (2015-2023). He is also a recognized member of the Body of Benchers and a board member of the International Association of Law Schools.

In September 2015, Mamman was conferred Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In recognition of his efforts, the Federal Government of Nigeria bestowed him with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Mamman is a respected academic and legal practitioner. He is known for his integrity and commitment to excellence. He is expected to bring his wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the education sector in Nigeria.

Dr Richard Montgomery CMG is appointed the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, succeeding Ms Catriona Laing CB. He is set to assume office in April 2023. With a notable diplomatic career, he served as the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group from 2018 to 2022.

Before that, he held key roles at the Department for International Development (DFID), including Director for the Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division and Counselor for Development and Head of Office in Pakistan and Nigeria.

Dr Montgomery's extensive experience includes positions in Zambia, Bangladesh, and India with DFID and academic contributions at Swansea University and Manchester University. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge and has been recognized as a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG).

Mr. Maiyaki is an accomplished speaker with over 30 years of public service experience, currently serving as the Acting Executive Secretary. He has held various leadership positions at the National Universities Commission (NUC) and has been instrumental in internationalization efforts and bilateral cooperation. Mr. Maiyaki's expertise spans higher education management, policy formulation, and diplomatic engagement. He is a seasoned professional with a strong track record in facilitating educational development and collaboration, including overseeing initiatives like the LEADS program and the NYSC Presidential Honors Scholarship Scheme. His extensive contributions include participation in critical committees and projects, making him a valuable speaker on higher education and international affairs..

Susan Mshana is a distinguished professional serving as the Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission in Nigeria. With a wealth of experience and expertise in international development, she plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the UK's development policies and initiatives in Nigeria.

Susan's career has been marked by a deep commitment to promoting sustainable development and fostering positive change in the region. Her leadership and strategic vision have made her an integral part of the British High Commission's efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, particularly in developing cooperation.

In her role as Deputy Development Director, Susan Mshana works closely with governmental and non-governmental partners and international organizations to address key development challenges in Nigeria. She is known for her collaborative approach, forging partnerships that bring about impactful solutions to poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, gender equality, and economic development.

Susan's dedication to her work extends beyond the office, as she actively engages with local communities and stakeholders to better understand their needs and aspirations. Her ability to bridge cultural gaps and facilitate dialogue has been instrumental in creating sustainable development programs that resonate with the people of Nigeria.

With a background in international relations and development, Susan Mshana brings a unique blend of expertise, diplomacy, and compassion to her role. Her contributions to the British High Commission's development agenda continue to make a significant difference in Nigeria's journey toward prosperity and progress.

Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu is a distinguished academic, university administrator, and entrepreneur. Holding B.A. and PhD degrees in History and Economic History from the University of Calabar, alongside an M.A. in Political Economy from the University of Birmingham, Ochefu embarked on his academic journey in 1985 at the University of Calabar.

Later, he thrived at Benue State University Makurdi, assuming positions like Professor of Economic History and Development Studies. Notably, he served as Vice-Chancellor at Kwararafa University, Wukari, from 2012 to 2017. Ochefu's expertise in Economic History is evident through 85+ publications.

He's a Fellow of esteemed institutions and an Information and Communications Consultant with notable contributions to multiple international organizations. In his entrepreneurial pursuits, he's fostered businesses across diverse sectors and actively contributes to various boards and organizations.

Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa holds the esteemed position of Vice-Chancellor at Kaduna State University, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of information systems. With a Ph.D. in Information Management, focusing on Information Systems, from Emporia State University in Kansas, USA, he is a distinguished academic whose career spans over two decades.

His educational journey includes an MBA, an MLS in Information Science, a PGDM, a PGDPA, and a BA in Library Science, all earned from Kaduna State University, where he has demonstrated his commitment to education and personal growth.

As an accomplished academic, Professor Musa has held various key roles, such as Professor of Information Systems, Dean of the Faculty of Computing, and Director of the Information and Communication Technology Center at Kaduna State University. He has also served as a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate School of Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, further enriching his academic portfolio.

In his current capacity as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Musa is dedicated to enhancing the educational and research landscape at Kaduna State University. He aims to improve infrastructure, foster collaborations with other institutions, and transform KASU into a globally recognized centre of excellence.

A Professor of Library and Information Science and an Associate of the Mortenson Centre for International Library Program, University of Illinois, a certified trainee of the United Nations Institute For Training and Research (UNITAR) on Innovation Collaborative for Development, an e-learning course on Social Media and a graduate of Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) Israel.

Over 100 publications in national and international journals, and written many books and chapters. A chartered member of the Nigerian Library Association and IT Section of the Profession. Attended and contributed to organising many national and international conferences and workshops.

An active participant in IFLA conferences a Standing Committee Member of Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) section of IFLA. Interested in networking, mentoring and research on adopting ICT in Library and Information Science and library users’ needs. Expert in Digital Library development and management as well as Open Educational Resources.

Professor Jibril Alhassan is a distinguished library and information science figure boasting over three decades of expertise. Holding a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science, an M.L.S., and a B.L.S., all from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, his educational journey forms the strong foundation for his illustrious career.

With a profound passion for library automation, digital library development, and information literacy, Professor Alhassan has contributed significantly to these areas through his extensive publications in renowned journals and conferences. His remarkable dedication has earned him accolades such as the Distinguished Librarian Award from the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU), the Merit Award for Outstanding Performance from Ahmadu Bello University, and the Best Paper Award from the Nigerian Library Association.

A seasoned academic, Professor Alhassan has held pivotal roles, including Professor of Library and Information Science, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, and Director of the University Library, all at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Beyond these roles, he has served as the President of AULNU, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to advancing the field.

As the Chair of AULNU, Professor Alhassan spearheads the association's efforts to represent the interests of university librarians across Nigeria. His influence extends globally as a member of various international library associations and boards of organizations dedicated to library development.

Enang Moma holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc) in Analytical Chemistry from Federal University of Technology Owerri and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Biochemistry from University of Calabar. She has attended several national and international trainings. She has gained cognate experience in implementing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) activities in the Private sector and Nigerian Public Service.

Dr. Moma currently works at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional office in Abuja as a National Professional officer responsible for implementing the UNESCO Natural Science programmes and projects in 8 countries (Benin, Cote d' Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo). Her desk activities cover Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy development, Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Basic Science education, Open Science, Ecology and Earth Science, Water Science, and Local and indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) in the context of SDGs.

Dr Enang Moma is a member of OWSD, the Chemical Society of Nigeria and the Sustainability Science Network. She has published in recognized journals, written several seminar/workshop papers in her field and supported several scientific case studies. She works with diligence and has facilitated international science events.

Owen Iyoha is the CEO of the Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative where he has worked since inception in 2009. He oversees infrastructure development, capacity building and advocacy with the goal of developing all aspects of the research and education network and its community in Nigeria.

Owen has over 25 years of ICT experience. He has worked in the UK, US and Nigeria with companies including Server Enterprise UK Limited, OpenLink Software Inc. and Datasphir Solutions Limited providing pre-sales support and consultancy for major corporate organisation on solutions that included Middleware, SAP, Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing and mail and collaboration.

He is a strong supporter of Open source software, Open Science, Open Access and other open paradigms necessary to support growth and impact of technology and scholarly output in Nigeria. Owen holds a Joint Honors Degree in Chemistry & Biochemistry from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.

Tom Olyhoek is a seasoned figure in African scientific and open-access circles. After completing his PhD in molecular microbiology from Amsterdam University in 1982, he contributed significantly to research at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin for seven years.

He dedicated another seven years to impactful research on malaria, sleeping sickness, and meningococcal epidemics in Kenya and Algeria. Since 2012, Olyhoek has been a prominent advocate for open access and open science, holding the Open Access working group coordinator role for Open Knowledge International.

His influence extended to the DOAJ, where he joined the advisory board in 2013 and later became Editor-in-Chief. As a force in the global DOAJ ambassador program, he has spearheaded outreach initiatives, including connecting with open communities like Creative Commons Global Network and OCSD Net. Additionally, he imparts his expertise as a member of Force11's programming committee, teaching at their annual summer school and conducting research in copyright, open-access publishing, and soil microbiology.

Prof. Conrad Asotie Omonhinmin is the National Contact Person (Nigeria), OA2020 Global Initiative. He is an advocate of Open Access (OA), Open Science (OS), Open digital repository (ODR), and the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in tertiary institutions. He has championed creating and adopting policies on Open Access/Science/OER and Open institutional repositories.

He is at the forefront of advocacy and capacity building on Open Access scholarly communication and open Science across the Nigerian and West African landscape, working with local and regional groups, like the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Eko-Connect (a Research and Education Network), Rike SD, (a Science, Innovation, Technology and Business experts hub) and the secretariat of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities as well as the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) and the Training Centre in Communication, African-based training centre for effective science communication skills to scientists (TCC Africa).

He is a consummate educationist with a drive to transform African Higher Education, particularly in Open Science and future education. A contemporary multidisciplinary academic researcher and regional and global collaborator for infrastructure and capacity development in Education Management, Young people and Student Management, Staff Development, Curriculum Development, Qualitative research, Scholarly communication, and Progressive academic planning and leadership experience.

Omo is WACREN’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). He coordinates the LIBSENSE initiative and leads the development, execution and sustenance of WACREN business. He was the pioneer Chief Technology Officer of the organisation and continues to work with development partners and sister regional networks on the technical development of high-capacity Internet network infrastructure for research and education.