Bingham University recently played host to  representatives from the Electoral Hub, an group under the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD). The delegation, led by Professor Jibril Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba, for accommodating them despite his demanding schedule.

Professor Jibril highlighted that the Electoral Hub is a collaborative organization focused on deepening the understanding of governance processes through knowledge production, dissemination, governance education, and policy advocacy. Comprised of intellectuals and practitioners, the forum is dedicated to strengthening political parties, enhancing the credibility of electoral processes, and providing actionable solutions to improve governance in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of the organization’s interdisciplinary approach, where commissioners and other stakeholders periodically convene to deliberate on electoral matters and generate recommendations to present to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further expressed the desire for a resource person from Bingham University to join the organisation’s efforts, highlighting the university’s capacity to contribute to electoral governance in Nigeria. 

Hajia Amina Zakari, another key personality in the delegation, elaborated on the organization’s registered status and its mission to promote electoral knowledge and compatibility. She stressed that the Electoral Hub brings together individuals from Election Management Bodies and other stakeholders to address both the supply and demand aspects of electoral governance. The goal, she said, is to find innovative solutions to the unique challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral landscape. 

In his response, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba while welcoming the delegation, stated that Bingham University, despite being a young institution, is on solid footing with 15 faculties, including the Faculty of Social Sciences, which houses the Political Science program and the Master in Election Management program. He acknowledged the vast potential for collaboration between the university and the Electoral Hub, especially given the university's 40 undergraduate and 40 postgraduate programs. The Vice-Chancellor commended the Electoral Hub for its impactful work and expressed his eagerness for a fruitful partnership.

The delegation visited the Faculty of Social Sciences, where they engaged with staff and students from the Department of Political Science. Professor Jibril, on behalf of the Electoral Hub, thanked the department for their warm reception and reiterated the potential for collaboration, especially in grooming the next generation of political scientists. He noted that the Electoral Hub’s personnel, comprised of both practitioners and academics, could offer invaluable insights to the students.

In her remarks to postgraduate students, Hajia Amina Zakari expressed excitement at the students' enthusiasm for political science. She also commended the presence of staff from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are benefitting from the university's postgraduate program. 

The highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of books to the Faculty of Social Sciences, particularly the Department of Political Science. Other notable attendees included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Musa Dankyau,the  Registrar Mr. Daburi Bello Misal, Acting Director of Public Affairs Ms. Monica Ankeli, Dean of Social Sciences Professor Michael Akpan, and the Head of the Department of Political Science Dr. Robert Sabo.