Dr. Abdullahi Hamisu Shehu, a distinguished scholar from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has been awarded the prestigious 2023 African Studies Review/Cambridge University Press Award for Best Africa-Based Doctoral Dissertation. The honor was conferred during the 67th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (ASA) held in Chicago, USA, from December 12 to 14, 2024.

Dr. Shehu, a faculty member in BUK’s Department of History, earned his PhD from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His award-winning dissertation, titled “Procession, Pilgrimage, and Protest: A Historical Study of the Qadiriyya-Nasiriyya and Islamic Movement in Nigeria Public Religiosity in Northern Nigeria, 1952–2021,” explores the intricate relationships between public religiosity and identity formation in northern Nigeria.

Focusing on two significant movements—the Qadiriyya-Nasiriyya, a reformed Sufi order, and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shia revivalist group—Dr. Shehu's research delves into the historical, social, and religious dynamics of public demonstrations, including Sufi processions (Maukibi) and Shia protests and symbolic journeys (Muzahara and Tattaki). His work highlights how these practices contest public space and visibility, reflecting the sociopolitical and religious complexities of post-colonial northern Nigeria.

As a scholar affiliated with Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Shehu’s recognition is a testament to the University’s contribution to global scholarship. His academic journey is marked by accolades, including his roles as a Fellow of the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Social Science Research Council, New York) and a Lisa Maskell Fellow (Gerda Henkel Foundation, Germany). Dr. Shehu has also presented his research at numerous international academic conferences and workshops.

This groundbreaking achievement not only underscores Dr. Shehu’s academic excellence but also reinforces Bayero University, Kano’s position as a hub for intellectual and scholarly contributions from Africa. His work provides fresh perspectives on the sociopolitical dynamics of northern Nigeria and exemplifies the transformative impact of African scholarship on global academic discourse.