Hassan Saliu Emerges Interim President of Nigerian Society of International Affairs
Renowned Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Hassan Saliu, has emerged as the interim president of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs (NSIA).
Saliu is the immediate past president of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA).
Choice Reporters gathered that Saliu was appointed interim president on Wednesday following a consultative meeting convened to revive the association.
Other members of the interim leadership committee are Prof. Victor Adetula and Prof. Murtala Muhammad.
The committee was also mandated to co-opt two female scholars to ensure broader representation, inclusivity and gender balance in its composition.
The interim leadership has been tasked with developing a roadmap for the formal reactivation of the association, broadening consultations with relevant stakeholders, reviewing the association’s constitutional and administrative framework where necessary, and carrying out other assignments aimed at repositioning the NSIA.
According to a source who attended the meeting, the revived association will focus on promoting cutting-edge research and scholarship, advancing knowledge in international affairs, influencing public policy through evidence-based research, fostering professional development among members, encouraging interdisciplinary networking and scholarly collaboration, supporting the growth and mentorship of early-career academics, and publishing high-quality academic books and journals.
“The revived NSIA will also promote international understanding and cooperation, strengthen teaching standards in universities and research institutions, uphold the highest ethical standards of academic practice, recognise excellence in scholarship and professional service, and enhance Nigeria’s national, regional and global intellectual engagement,” the source said.
The source added that these resolutions were unanimously adopted at Wednesday’s meeting, which was convened by Prof. Warisu Alli and attended by leading scholars, including Professors Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Istifanus Zabadi, Rufai Ahmed Alkali, Hassan Saliu, William Fawole, Victor Adetula, Murtala Muhammad, Efem Ubi, Sharkdam Wapmuk and James Jacob.
Speaking on the development, Prof. Warisu Alli underscored the historical significance of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs, stressing the need to restore it to its rightful position as a vibrant intellectual platform for advancing research, stimulating scholarly discourse, mentoring emerging academics and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s foreign policy and global engagement.
He noted that reviving the association had become increasingly necessary in light of the evolving dynamics of international politics, diplomacy, peace and security, global governance and regional integration, which require sustained scholarly engagement and institutional collaboration.
