Prof A.T Simbine (nee Okoosi) (PhD, Ibadan) is a Professor of Political Science & International
Relations. She was appointed as NISER Director-General (DG) by President Muhammadu Buhari
on May 20, 2022. Her appointment took effect from June 1, 2022. Prof Simbine is the first woman to be appointed DG of Nigeria’s 62-year-old premiere Think Tank. Until her
appointment as DG, she was Research Professor in the Political and Governance Policy
Department (PGPD) and Head, Knowledge Management Department (KMD), NISER.

She started her career at NISER as a Youth Corps member in 1984 and rose to the rank of Research Professor in 2010. Her Research and consulting interests include – Public sector governance, the Legislature, Politics and Elections in Nigeria; Gender issues especially Women’s Education and Political Participation; International Relations; Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution; as well as issues in socio-economic development and good governance.

Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

A member of several local and international professional organizations that promote
democratic governance and development. Taught Peace and Conflict Studies at the University
of Ibadan and served as External Examiner (undergraduate and post-graduate) to the
Universities of Benin, Ilorin and Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State. She is a 2021 Fellow, Academy of Politics, Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA). She is widely published.

Appointed National Commissioner, INEC, representing North Central geopolitical zone (2015-2020).

Appointed a Faculty Member and Reviewer for the New York-based Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship Program of the Social Science Research Council (2013).

Appointed, Member, INEC Registration and Election Review Committee (IRERC) (2011).

Consultant to the Presidency’s Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), and worked with the Sub-
Committee on Electoral Systems (2008)

Resource Person for the Swedish-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral
Assistance (IDEA) on “Democracy Assessment in Nigeria” (the Year 2000).

Exchange Program scholarship at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi (2002/2003).

British Council Fellowship award to the University of Leeds, United Kingdom (1993).

Fluent in English, Hausa and Yoruba.

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