Profile of Mambayya House, the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano
Established in the year 2000, Mambayya House, the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, fundamentally, is a BUK’s endowment to Nigeria’s democratic development. Thus, it is non-profit making organization and operates as a relatively autonomous organ within the University’s organizational structure, subject to the University’s regulations in respect of accountability and academic standard. Its major aim is the promotion of democracy, good governance and scholarly research in areas of democratic theory, practice, values, culture as well as peace and development.
The Centre’s organogram provides for a Governing Board, a Director, an Academic Advisory Committee and two major units namely, the Research and Documentation (R&D) Unit and Training (T) Unit. Each unit is headed by a Deputy Director and is supported by a Research Professor and Research Fellows. There are also an Administrative Officer, Librarian and Chief Accountant, Chief Executive Officer in charge of museum and Catering Officer.
Vision
To be a leading centre for democratic Studies in Africa
Mission
To promote democratic studies, democratic culture, good governance and peaceful co-existence
Core Values
- Good leadership and team work
- Dedication and productivity
- Transparency and accountability
- Integrity and humility
Objectives
The specific objectives of the Centre are:
- to study, research and closely monitor and maintain a comprehensive database on the evolution, as well as the trials and tribulations of democracy in Nigeria;
- to facilitate research, scholarship and policy formulation on all aspects pertaining to democracy in Nigeria;
- to promote a proper understanding of democratic theory and practice, as well as good governance through research and training;
- to promote the evolution of desirable and appropriate political culture and values for national progress and development;
- to contribute to speedy, stable and sustainable democratic consolidation and the prevention of authoritarian rule in Nigeria;
- to periodically make recommendations on appropriate policy measures, which can strengthen democratic conduct and practices in Nigeria;
- to promote peaceful co-existence and resolution of disputes with a view to creating a more stable democratic polity;
- to contribute to a proper understanding and removal of the traditional constraints to good governance and socio-economic development in Nigeria;
- to provide opportunities for skills development and improvement through training on democracy, tolerance and good governance for politicians, policy makers, legislators, judicial officers and other officials from the Local, State and Federal Governments, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) activists;
- to provide fellowships and short-term residency and assistance to researchers and scholars working on themes relevant to the Centre’s research and training interests;
- to cooperate with similar centres in Nigeria and abroad with a view to expanding the scope of scholarship and research on democratic theory, conduct and practice;
- to provide a comprehensive reference library and documentation on political culture, democracy, good governance and socio-economic development;
- to periodically publish and disseminate the outcome of studies conducted at the Centre for the benefit of policy makers and the general public;
- to organize and operate a museum on Nigerian politics in the original house of Malam Aminu Kano with a view to making it a tourist attraction;
- to accept gifts, legacies and donations, but without obligation to accept the same for a particular purpose unless it approves the terms and conditions attaching thereto; and
- to do such other things as may be considered incidental to the above objects/matters.
Major Focus the Centre’ Mandate
Broadly, the Centre’s major responsibilities and duties revolve around the following areas:
Research: The Centre conducts theoretical and applied research on all aspects of democracy in Nigeria such as political development; democratic governance, democratic institutions and electoral process, political culture and values, human rights etc.
Training: The Centre conducts training programs on various as aspect political education; civic education, voter education. It has special short courses on leadership and democratic governance, political party administration and campaign strategies, election management and administration practice, democracy, law making, legislative process and law making for local governance. This training targets participants
Documentation: Acknowledging the fact that knowledge is a public good, the Centre collects, documents disseminates and provides long-term preservation of quality content of research products, policy documents and archival materials to promote values in dissemination and production of knowledge.
Community Service: Community service remains core at the Centre’s work and involve actively in promoting peace education and skills development on conflict prevention, conflict management, peace building and resolution of disputes within its host communities.
Specifically, the Centre pursues its mandate and responsibilities through:
- Publications
- Training Workshops
- Conferences,
- Public lectures/Symposia/Seminars
- Round table/Panel discussions
- Public Debates
- Consultative Meetings
- Policy dialogues etc.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The Centre has an Administrative Block, a Library, Conference Facility (1 Auditorium and 6 Committee Rooms), and Museum, Guest Suites, Restaurant/Kitchen Complex, Bore-hole, 6 Generating Sets and 7 vehicles.
List of Funded Projects and Funders
S/N | Funded Project | Funders | Period/Duration |
1 | Project for the establishment of Conflict Management and Resource Centre (CMRC) in the Centre | USAID/OTI | 2001- |
2 | Project for the construction of auditorium complex & installation of electricity generating sets | Education Trust Fund (ETF), Abuja | July, 2002 |
3 | Project for conversion of office building into Centre’s mosques | Philanthropist | 2002 |
4 | Workshop series and formation of technical committee on “Strategies for Curbing and Regulating/Controlling the Electioneering Campaign Processes and Election Related Violence” | Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Dakar | 2003 |
5 | Training for Senior Civil Servants on “Fostering Good Governance for Societal Development” | United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Kano state Government | 2004 |
6 | Training for Local Government Officials on Strategic planning | Kebbi State Government | 2004 & 2006 |
7 | Project on voter education for mandate protection in the North-west Zone/Train-the-Trainer Workshop in North-west Zone | UNDP/Joint Donor Basket Fund (JDBF) | 2007 |
8 | Conflict Management and establishment of Conflict Management and Mitigation Regional Council (CMMRC) Project | USAID/IFESH-CALM Project | 2006-2010 |
9 | Capacity Building and Support for School Development Scheme in Kunchi LGA of Kano state | World Bank funded Consultancy/Kano-SESP | 2008 |
10 | Kano State Education Sector Project (K-SESP) | World Bank Funded Capacity Building Project | 2010-2011 |
11 | Perception Survey of CBO in Mobilizing for Development (M4D) LGAs selected in 9 LGAs of Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano | Mobilizing for Development (M4D)-DFID funded project | 2014-2017 |
12 | Establishment and running of State Conflict Management Alliance (SCMA) & Hosting Consultative meeting | Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP), funded by DFID-Nigeria | 2012-2018 |
13 | Training and monitoring services to the Department of Social Mobilization, SUBEB, Kano | ESSPIN/SUBEB, Kano Roll-out | 2013-2016 |
14 | Series of Zonal Sensitization Workshop on Curbing Youth Involvement in Electoral Violence during the 2015 General Elections | UNDP through DGD II Project | 2015 |
15 | Combating Corruption through Interfaith Platforms in Nigeria Project, 2018-2020 | John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, On Nigeria Project I | 2018-2020 |
16 | Promoting Accountability and Anti-Corruption Through Behaviour Change Approach | John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, On Nigeria Project II | 2021-2024 |
Mambayya House Partnership and Collaboration
S/N | Partners/Collaborators | Purpose of Partnership/Collaboration | Period |
1 | National Poverty Eradication Program (NAPEP), Abuja | Roundtable on Poverty Eradication Program in Nigeria | February, 2002 |
2 | Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)- Kano Council | Training Workshop on Leadership Management and Resources Mobilization | October, 2002 |
3 | Department for International Development (DFID), Abuja | Consultative Meeting and Workshop on Drivers of Change in Nigeria | September, 2003 |
4 | Institute for the African Child, Ohio University, Athens, USA | Research on Islamic Scholars Election Monitoring and Prevention | 2005-2006 |
5 | Northwestern University, USA | Training Workshop on Editing and Publishing | November, 2005 |
6 | Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF), Germany | Public lectures and Roundtable discussion on issues around good governance, elections and constitutionalism | 2006-2008 |
7 | Kano State Government | Training seminar on strategies for curbing elections-related violence and mandate protection | April, 2007 |
8 | National Endowment for Democracy, USA & Youth Society for the Prevention of infectious Disease and Social Vices (YOSPIS), Kano | Training Workshop on Civic Education for CBOs/NGOs | April, 2007 |
9 | Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja | Roundtable Discussion on the Condition of Muslims in the USA & Islamic Exhibition | October, 2007 & March, 2009 |
10 | Conference of Clerks of States House Assembly, North-West Zone | Orientation Workshop for Newly elected members of States House of Representative of North-west zone | May, 2007 |
11 | National Assembly, Abuja | Orientation Workshop for Newly elected members of States House of Representative of National Assembly | May, 2007 |
12 | National Museum, Gidan Makama, Kano | Public Lecture Marking 2008 International Museum Day Celebration | May, 2008 |
13 | Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD), Kano & Politics of Development Groups (PODSU), Department of Political Science, Stockholm University, Sweden | Two-Day International Workshop on the Impact and Limitations of Civil Society Organizations: The Nigerian Bar Association in Perspective | July, 2008 – October, 2009 |
14 | University of Massachusetts Boston, USA | International Workshop on Building Citizen Engagement and Conflict Resolution Skills in Civil Society | January, 2009 |
15 | International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Nigeria | National Conference on Islam and Democracy in Nigeria | March, 2009 |
16 | National Endowment of Democracy (NED) and YOSPIS | Training Workshop for Civic Education for Youth | April, 2009 |
17 | Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja | Workshop on Youth Participation in Electoral Process in Nigeria | 2009, 2012 & 2015 |
18 | development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Kano | Workshop on Leadership for Bayero University Student Union Leaders | June, 2009 |
19 | Social Development Direct (SSDirect), a UK –Based Research Consortium | Roundtable Discussion on Radicalization, Political Violence and Violent Extremism | July, 2009 |
20 | International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH), Nigeria Office | Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Planning | October, 2009 |
21 | Kano State Conflict Management and Mitigation Regional Council (CRMMC) supported by USAID/IFESH-CALM Project | Capacity Building on Proposal Writing and Interfaith Dialogue for Women Groups in Kano State | December, 2009 |
22 | Jigawa State Government | Retreat for Jigawa State Government Functionaries | December, 2009 |
22 | Office of the Special Assistance to the Kano State Governor on Women Affairs | Workshop on Women and Political Participation: The Past, the Present and the Future | January, 2010 |
23 | Consortium for Development Project (CDP), CODESRIA, Dakar, Senegal | Methodology Workshop on CDP Research Project | February, 2010 |
24 | Education Sector Support Program (ESSPIN), Kano | Stakeholder Forum on Education in Kano State | March, 2010 |
25 | State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), Kano-DFID funded project | Workshop on Budget Analysis and Monitoring of Kano State 2008-2010 Budgets | March, 2010 |
26 | Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD), Kano0 | International Workshop on Pro-Democracy Movements in Nigeria: Assessing Five Decades of Struggles | 2010 |
27 | Overseas Development Group, University of East Anglia, Northwich, UK | Household Survey and Experimental Research on Intra-Household Resource Allocation in Northern Nigeria-Phase II | 2010 |
28 | Education Sector Support Program in Nigeria (ESSPIN, Kano) | Training Programme and Mentoring for CSOs and Communities to improve service delivery in primary and secondary schools | 2010 – 2013 |
29 | Freedom Radio, DFID and Konrad Adenuer Foundation (KAF) | Townhall meeting with Kano Sate Governor, Dr. Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso | September, 2011 & 2012 |
30 | United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Nigeria Country Office, Abuja | International Conference on Corruption Governance and Development in Nigeria | December, 2011 |
31 | Bauchi State Local Government Service Commission | Training Workshop on Engendering Effective Relationship between political Office Holders and Staff in the Local Government Service in Bauchi State | June, 2012 |
32 | DFID funded program – Mobilizing for Development (M4D) | Research activities | 2012- |
33 | DFID funded Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP) | Researches and Establishment of State Conflict Management Alliance (SCMA) | 2012-2018 |
34 | Turaki Consultancy Services | Conduct of Local Government Forum in Albasu, LGA | July, 2013 |
35 | Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSEC) | Training Workshop for Electoral Officials on “2014 Local Government Election Administration” in Kano State | April, 2014 |
36 | National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano | Policy Dialogue on Youth and Drug Abuse | July, 2016 |
37 | Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano | Policy Dialogue on Violence Against Women and Children in Kano State | October, 2016 |
38 | DFID funded Justice for All (J4A) | Dissemination Workshop on Improving the Capacity of the Operators of Traditional Justices System in Kano | 2016 |
39 | Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learning Evidence and Advocacy Partnership (PERL-LEAP) –DFID funded Project | Exploring the political Economy of Teacher Quality in Jigawa State | 2017 |
40 | Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano | Public Lecture on Electoral Democracy and Integrity in Nigeria | 2017, 2008 |
41 | Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja and BudgiT – Nigeria, Lagos | Train-the Trainer Workshop and Zonal Sensitization Workshop on the Role of Religious leaders in combating corruption in Nigeria | 2017 |
42 | Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Organization for Community Civic Engagement in Nigeria (OCCEN) | Townhall meeting on the 21 Constitutional Amendment Bill & Policy Dialogue with the theme “Improving Security Situation through Establishing the Kano State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF) | October, 2017 & 2018 |
43 | DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn –Learning, Evidencing and Advocacy Partnership (PERL-LEAP) | Formative Research to Inform the Development of the Proposed Pilot Programme for Model Islamiyya, Qur’an and Tsangaya Education (IQTE) Schools in Jigawa State” | 2018 |
44 | IFRA, Nigeria and Science Po Paris, Columbia University | Second Edition of IFRA Mater Class, 2018 | July, 2018 |
45 | Embassy of Ireland, Abuja | Panel Discussion on “Road to Peace: Sharing Lessons from the Northern Ireland Peace Process” | February, 2018 |
46 | Greater Kano Initiative (GREKIN) | Public Lecture on the Role of State Legislature on Good Governance | December, 2019 |
45 | Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamma’at and Resource Center for Human Right and Civic Society (CHRICED) | Peace Symposium on the theme, “Justice and Peace: The Role of Religion | October, 2020 |
46 | United State Institute of Peace (USIP), Nigeria Office, Abuja | Roundtable Discussion on the theme “Nigeria and the Dilemma of Democratization” | March, 2021 |
47 | Al-habibiya Islamic Society, Abuja | Intergenerational Dialogue Towards the Promotion of Good Governance and Peace-Co-existence in Nigeria Through Interfaith Platforms | 2021-2024 |
