Umar Garba Danbatta
Umar Garba Danbatta is a Nigerian author, philanthropist, administrator, and professor of electrical and telecommunications engineering. He served as the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from November 2015 to April 2020, and was reappointed from July 2020 to October 2023 following confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. Before his appointment to the NCC, he was the acting Vice-Chancellor of Kano State University of Science and Technology since its founding in 2001, and became acting Vice-Chairman of the NCC in August 2014.
Background
Danbatta was born in Danbatta, Kano State. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in sciences and engineering from the Technical University of Wroclaw, and holds a PhD in Science and Technology from the University of Manchester.
Career
Danbatta began his academic career at Bayero University, Kano, in the Faculty of Technology, where he worked for over 30 years. He lectured in telecommunications engineering and held several academic leadership roles including:
- Head of Department, Electrical Engineering
- Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology
He chaired and participated in over 50 university committees and task forces. He also supervised numerous Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD projects in engineering and telecommunications.
He was:
- A member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
- A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
- Vice President of the International Centre for Advanced Communication Studies (established by NCC and the Digital Bridge Institute)
Since 2013, he has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Publications and Recognition
Danbatta is the author of several books and has been credited in more than 50 journal articles. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to engineering, academia, and public service.
Notes
Additional citations and references can be appended here.