Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, the new Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, was born on 26th October, 1972 at Angwa-Ogebe, Ankpa Township, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended RCM Primary School, Ankpa, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1988.
He proceeded to St Charles College, Ankpa for his secondary education in 1989, but later switched over to the Young Muslim Congress Secondary School (YMCSS) Ankpa, where he obtained his West Africa Senior School Certificate in 1995. His quest for tertiary education began at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Osara Campus where he obtained his Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE), Advanced Level Result in 1996. He was a member of the pioneer set of the programme.
With the Advanced Level result, he enrolled for his Bachelor Degree at the Bayero University, Kano, in 1997 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Political Science in 2001. In 2004, Dr. Usman proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, where he obtained a Master of Science(M.Sc) in Political Science in 2006.
In 2010, the new Acting Rector secured admission into Nassarawa State University, Keffi, where he was conferred with a PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies in 2015.
In terms of working experience, his traverse in life is well rooted in remarkable commitment to administration, teaching, research, activism and advocacy, mentorship and community service. After his mandatory NYSC programme during which he taught Government as a subject in Makun High School, Shagamu, Ogun State, in 2002, he had a brief stint with the Halogen Security Company as a Security Supervisor attached to Nadinna Industry, Gbagada, Lagos State.
In 2003, he was privileged to begin his public service as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Ilorin under the guidance and mentorship of a renowned scholar and astute administrator, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, then Vice Chancellor of Nassarawa State University. He also enjoyed the mentorship of an equally reputable scholar, administrator, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and current Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
At the University of Ilorin, he served as Acting Secretary, College of Health Sciences for over a year and Faculty Officer, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences. He also provided invaluable secretariat support (as Secretary) to over 22 Committees and Panels in the University.
Dr Usman transferred his services to Kogi State University, Anyigba, as Assistant Lecturer in 2009. Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks, and, until this appointment, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science in the University.
In terms of administrative leadership and experience at Kogi State University, he has served as Level Adviser across levels, Secretary, Departmental Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, Examination Officer, PG Coordinator and has been the Head of Department since 2016.
At the Faculty level, he has served as Secretary, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee, Chairman, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee (2017- Date), Member, Faculty Electoral Committee for the election of Dean (2013), Chairman, Faculty Electoral Committee for election of Dean (2016 and 2018) and Member, Faculty of Social Sciences Management Committee (2016- Date).
At the larger university level, he has served as Secretary, E-examination Committee, Chairman, E-examination Committee, Deputy Coordinator, General Studies Unit, Coordinator, General Studies Unit and Dean, Student Affairs. Dr. Usman was the Director of Consultancy Services and a Member (Congregation Representative) Governing Council of the University before his appointment as Acting Rector.
He has also served as Member, Secretary and Chairman of not less than 30 other ad-hoc and statutory committees since he joined the services of the State University in 2009.
Dr. S.O. Usman has published over 25 articles in reputable local and international journals and has several chapters in edited books to his credit. In addition, he has attended and presented papers at conferences both at the disciplinary and interdisciplinary levels across the country. He has also delivered lectures and engaged in constructive interactions at several conferences, forums, workshops and symposia.
The new Acting Rector is a member of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), member Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANNUPA) and Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FCIA).
He loves reading, travelling and politicking and is happily married with children.