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…. READ MORE

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:

1. 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;
2. to facilitate research, scholarship and policy formulation on all aspects pertaining to democracy in Nigeria;
3. to promote a proper understanding of democratic theory and practice, as well as good governance through research and training;
4. to promote the evolution of desirable and appropriate political culture and values for national progress and development;
5. to contribute to speedy, stable and sustainable democratic consolidation and the prevention of authoritarian rule in Nigeria;
6. to periodically make recommendations on appropriate policy measures, which can strengthen democratic conduct and practices in Nigeria;
7. to promote peaceful co-existence and resolution of disputes with a view to creating a more stable democratic polity;
8. to contribute to a proper understanding and removal of the traditional constraints to good governance and socio-economic development in Nigeria;
9. 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;
10. 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;
11. 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;
12. to provide a comprehensive reference library and documentation on political culture, democracy, good governance and socio-economic development;
13. to periodically publish and disseminate the outcome of studies conducted at the Centre for the benefit of policy makers and the general public;
14. 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;
15. 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
16. 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

Mambayya House Partnership and Collaboration