Buhari Appoints Simbine As NISER DG

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appointed Prof. Antonia Simbine as the first female Director-General (DG) of Nigeria’s National Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).

Her appointment was confirmed in a statement released through the office of the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba, Naija News understands.

Simbine’s appointment would take effect on June 1, the statement noted.

Simbine’s predecessor, Folarin Gbadebo-Smith, is expected to vacate the office on May 31, as head of the apex socio-economic policy research think-tank.

Before her latest portfolio, Simbine was a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representing the North-Central geopolitical zone and in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Plateau and Niger States.

Congratulating the new appointee, Agba said the professor of political science and international relations and current Head, of the Knowledge Management Department at NISER, “brings to her new role a track record of experience and distinguished work in human development research.

”She became a research professor and Director of the Social and Governance Policy Research Department at NISER in 2010.

”Her work and various publications are on politics and elections, gender issues, especially women’s education and political participation; international relations/peacekeeping, conflict resolution and good governance.

”In 2013, Simbine was appointed a Faculty Member and Reviewer for the New York-based Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship Programme of the Social Science Research Council.

”She has also worked with the Swedish-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) on Democracy Assessment in Nigeria.

“And as a scholar on an Exchange Programme at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies New Delhi, India for research on political party systems in India and Nigeria.

”In 2008, Simbine served as a Consultant to the Electoral Reform Committee set up by the Nigerian Presidency, also worked with the Sub-Committee on Electoral Systems before being appointed a Member, INEC Registration and Election Review Committee in 2011.”