RECTOR’S PROFILE
Dr. Shaaya Shehu Mafara was born in Talata Mafara town, Zamfara State to the family of Late Alhaji Shehu Imani on 27th October 1974. In his early childhood, he was enrolled into the Islamic School of Late Shaikh Mahrazu Mika’il, ‘Yan Hudu Area, Talata Mafara where he learned reading and writing of the Holy Qur’an and studied numerous books of Arabic language and Islamic knowledge. For his formal education, he attended Model Primary School (now Dr. A.M. Dogo Model Primary School) Talata Mafara from 1980 to 1986. He proceeded to Kanta College (now Kanta Unity College) Argungu for his Junior Secondary Education from 1987 to 1989. He then went to Government Science Secondary School (now Nagari College) Birnin Kebbi for his Senior Secondary Education from 1990 to 1992. Dr Shaaya Shehu proceeded to Usmanu Danfodiyo Sokoto in 1993 for his undergraduate studies where he studied Biochemistry and graduated with B. Sc. (Hons) Degree, graded in the Second Class, Upper Division in 1998. In March 1999, he was deployed to Gombe State for one-year National Youth Service Corpse (NYSC) Scheme and passed out in February 2000. In 2008, he secured the Zamfara State Government’s Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies in India, where he studied Biochemistry at Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi and graduated in 2010 with M.Sc. Degree in Biochemistry, graded in the 1 st Division. He attended the RDS Computer Institute, Sangham Vihaar, New Delhi, India between 2008 and 2009, where he obtained Diploma in Computer with Grade A. He also enrolled into the Central Institute of Management and Technology, Ambala, India for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from 2009 to 2010 where he obtained a PGDE Certificate, graded in the 1 st Division. In 2013, he secured the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship in the United Kingdom for Doctoral Research at the University of Liverpool, where he conducted research in Cancer Immunology and successfully obtained Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry (Immunology) in September 2017. Dr Shaaya Shehu worked with Government Science Secondary School, Gusau as Master I between 2000 and 2001. He served as Principal Scientific Officer and in-charge of Water Treatment Operations at Zamfara State Water Board, Gusau Area Office, from 2002 to 2004. He was also appointed as the Assistant General Manager (Quality Control) at Zamfara State Water Board Head Quarters, by Zamfara State Executive Governor in 2008. He served at Zamfara College of Arts and Science (ZACAS) Gusau, where he rose to Senior Lecturer from 2004 to 2012 and was the pioneer Coordinator, Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) in the institution. Dr Shaaya Shehu joined the services of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 2012 as Lecturer I in the Department of Biochemistry, where he is still serving as Senior Lecturer until his appointment as the Rector, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara by Zamfara State Executive Governor in August 2019, position he presently holds. He is also currently a visiting Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Gusau. Dr Shaaya Shehu Mafara is the Chief Imam of Imam Malik Jumu’at Mosque, Damba, following his installation by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gusau in 2013. He is the Founder and Chairman, Imani Foundation Talata Mafara. He is also a member of various religious, community and professional organizations, serving in various capacities. Dr Shaaya Shehu received several awards of both academic and administrative excellences. He is happily married to two wives and blessed with seven children.