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Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto

The most peaceful university in Nigeria








Prof. Abubakar Matazu


Brief Biography


Professor Abubakar Matazu was born on the 13th July 1966 in Matazu, Katsina State of Nigeria. He started his educational career in the then Matazu ‘A’ Primary School, before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Matazu in the year 1979. In furtherance of his educational pursuit, he attended the following institutions; College of Advanced Studies, Zaria; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in the year 1989 and graduated with an LL.B degree in 1993; Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the Bar in 1995. He obtained Masters of Laws degree (LL.M) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the year 1999. He is also a holder of Ph.D. from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 2009 and his area of specialization is International Law, with much interest on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

He started his working career in the Faculty of Law of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto as an Assistant Lecturer in 1996 and rose through the ranks to an enviable position of Professor of International Law,on 1st January, 2015. He is widely published and attended many Conferences and Academic and professional workshops, both within and outside Nigeria. He is currently an External Examiner and Professorial Assessor to many universities.He practiced Law in the following Law Firms; Liberty Law Chambers, Ilorin; Amana Law Chambers and Al’umma Law Chambers, Sokoto, before becoming the Principal Partner of Abubakar Matazu and Company - (Kainuwa Law Chambers).

Professor Matazu has sufficient administrative experience and held posts both within and outside the university community. From 1998 to 2002, he was the DeputyDean of Faculty of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and subsequently served as the DEAN, from 2002 to 2007. He was a member of Senate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and member of Council of Legal Education, from 2002 to 2007, where he was a member of Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, the Finance and General Purpose Committee as well as a member of Accreditation Visitation Panel to Faculty of Law, Kogi State University, Ayingba and eastern Palm University, Owerri.

He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), from 2002 to 2007, where he served on its various committees, among which were the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee. He was in the year 2010 a consultant to UNDP and Sokoto State Government on the review of existing environmental laws in the state.

From 13th July, 2015 to 30th June, 2020, he served as the Dean, Faculty of Law and Head, Department ofPublic and Private Law at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina (on secondment). He is as well, the Editor-in-Chief, UMYU Law Journal, editor, Journal of Islamic and Comparative Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and served many standing and ad hoc committees, either as chairman or member, within and outside the university community.

He was reappointed in to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in 2019. He is currently serving on the Committee on Planning and implementation of Huda University, Gusau, Zamfara State. He is currently the Honourable Vice Chairman, Forum of Professors of Law in Nigerian

Professor Abubakar Matazu is the holder of the traditional title of Zannan Matazu.A onetime National Secretary of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Alumni Association, is happily married with children.


Area of specialization:International Humanitarian Law/Islamic Law
Email:ridwan.abubakar@udusok.edu.ng
Phone:08035862526

List of Selected Publications

1. Matazu, A.S.R., State Sovereignty and the Legality of Armed Intervention, UDUS Law Journal (1999) vol. 1, UDUS Press, pp.166 – 178 SSN 1595 – 4242.
2. Matazu, A.S.R., The Legal Regime of Consumer Protection in Nigeria. UDUS Law Journal (2001) vol. 1. No. 3, UDUS Press, pp.28 – 147. ISSN 1595 – 4242.
3. Matazu, A.S.R., M. I. Said., and I. Y. Gambo., Shariah Legal System and Democracy in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 39th annual Law Teachers Conference, 2003. University of Maiduguri, pp.138 – 150.
4. Matazu, A.S.R., Mohammed Isah., A.M. Bachaka, Good Governance, Corruption, Immunity and Accountability, (in ed), J.M. Nasir et al, Proceedings of 41st Annual Law Teachers’ Conference, 2008, University of Jos, Innovative Communication, Jos, pp.49 – 69, ISBN 978-978 32056-6-9.
5. Matazu, A.S.R., Analytical Discourse on Wrongful Termination of Contract of Employment under the Nigerian Labour Law, Journal of Private and Business Law, UDUS, Vol.2 No.2, 2009, Faith Printers International 2009, pp. 126 – 145. ISSN 1597-6882.
6. Matazu, A.S.R., Jurisprudential Contribution of Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutugi: Some Aspects of Land Law Perspectives, A chapter contribution (in Ed) Ajibade B. Democratic Governance and Justice in Nigeria, administration, Life Gate Publishing Co. Ltd, Ibadan, 2009, pp. 35 – 58. ISBN 978-978-057-389-5.
7. Matazu, A.S.R., Comparative Analysis of International Crimes (in Ed) M.L. Ahmadu et al. ‘Nigerian Law and Practice in a Globalizing World’. UDUS Printing Press, 2010. Pp.240 – 257. ISBN 798-79898583-1.
8. Matazu, A.S.R., Domestic Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges, African Year Book on International Humanitarian Law, AYIHL, Juta and Company, South Africa, 2011, pp.180 – 194. ISSN 1997- 8391.
9. Matazu, A.S.R., Other Situations of Violence in Nigeria: The Relevance of International Humanitarian Law. A Chapter Contribution to an Essay in Honour of Justice Ndajiwo, the Chief Judge of Niger State, Chattered Graphic Press Abuja, 2012, ISBN 978-978-716-591-9.
10. Matazu, A.S.R., Is International Criminal Court Anti-Africa? Journal of Public and International Law, Department of Public Law, ABU Zaria, Faith Printers International April, 2013, ISBN 978-37858-X.
11. Matazu, A.S.R., An Appraisal of the Element of War Crimes. A Chapter Contribution to Law, Social Justice and development: A Festschrift for Professor Uba Nnabue, Imo State University Press, 2013, pp.156-172, 201. ISBN 978-045-648-8.
12. Matazu, A.S.R., Internal Security: The Imperatives of Intelligence and Community Partnership. A Chapter Contribution (in ed) Arase S.A. National SecurityIntelligence and Community Partnership Approach, Law Lords Publications/Panaf Press Abuja, 2013. ISBN 978-978-51957-5-0.
13. Matazu, A.S.R., Nature and Scope of War Crimes under International Criminal Law. Studies in Humanities, UDUS, 2014, pp. 15-27. ISSN 0794-5639.
14. Matazu, A.S.R., Widening the Scope for the promotion and Protection of Human Rights: Issues and Challenges. Umaru Musa Yar’adua Law Journal, 2014, pp. 407-417. ISSN 2437-1408.
15. Matazu, A.S.R., Domestication of Human Rights Treaties in Nigeria: A Critique. University of Ilorin Law Journal, 2014(E) pp124-138 ISSN: 0794- 4349.
16. Matazu, A.S.R., Syria: The War Within and the Challenges of International Law, International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Invention, 2014, pp. 1-9. ISSN (P) 2319-7714 (E) 2319-7722.
17. Matazu, A.S.R., Violations of Fundamental Rights in Nigeria during Internal Strife and Civil Disturbances by the Nigerian Security personnel, International Organization ofScientific Research Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2014, pp.1-5. ISSN (P) 2279-0845. (E) 2279-0837.
18. Matazu, A.S.R., Bappa, A.I., Binta, D.D., Abere, I.U., The Development of Environmental Law in Nigeria Since 1914, Proceedings of the 47th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, Abakaliki, 2014, pp.368-379. ISBN 978-096-250-6.
19. Matazu, A.S.R., Banning of Nuclear Weapons through Convention: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward, International Organisation of Scientific Research, Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, ISSN 2279- 0837, January, 2021.
20. Matazu, A.S.R., Legal Restraints of States during Armed Conflicts, Quest International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2015, ISSN 2321-9467. January, 2021.
21. Matazu, A.S.R.The Concept of Plea Bargain and the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria. A chapter contribution to a book in honour of Afe Babalola, 2021.
22. Matazu, A.S.R. Other Situations Of Violence In Nigeria: The Relevance of International Humanitarian Law, A chapter contribution to the Nigerian Humanitarian Law Teachers’ Year Book, 2021.
23. Matazu A.S.R., A Comparison of the 1963 and 1999 Constitution: The Choice between Parliamentary and Presidential System of Government for Nigeria. Proceeding of Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation Publication, 2021.

SEMINAR/CONFERENCES/PAPERS


1. Matazu, A.S.R., Membership in the United Nations, Withdrawal and Nigeria’s Quest for the Permanent Seat of the United Nations Security Council. A paper presented at the Faculty of Law seminar on 28th May, 1998.
2. Matazu, A.S.R., Assessing the Legal and Regulatory policies of public Health in Nigeria. A paper presented at the Consultative Workshop for Medical/Legal practitioners and Academicians. Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja, 1st April, 2005.
3. Matazu, A.S.R., International Humanitarian Law and International human Rights: Contiguous or Clashes. A paper presented at the Faculty of Law, UDUS, Senate Chamber, on 27th August, 2010.
4. Matazu, A.S.R., International Fact Finding Commission: An Appraisal. A paper presented at the Annual Workshop for the International Humanitarian Law Teachers Rock View Hotel Abuja, 15 to 17th June, 2011.
5. Matazu, A.S.R., Situations of Violence: Broadening the Fields for the Application of International Humanitarian Law: A paper presented at the Faculty of Law seminar, UDUS, Faculty of Law Seminar Room, 20th July, 2012.
6. Matazu, A.S.R., The Nexus Between Financial (Control and Management) Act and International Standards. A paper presented at the Compliance workshop of IPSAS, at the Auditorium of Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute of Quran and General Studies, 29th April, 2013.
7. Matazu, A.S.R., Intelligence-led Policing and Internal Security: The imperative of Community Partnership. A paper presented at the North-west Geopolitical Zone Workshop on intelligence Sensitization and Community Partnership, JB Yakubu Hall, Gusau, Zamfara State on 18th May, 2012.
8. Matazu, A.S.R., Security Challenges in Nigeria and Youth participation: A paper presented at the Inauguration of the Executive Council of National Association of Katsina State Students, at the Katsina State Secretariat, Katsina, 15th June, 2013.
9. Matazu, A.S.R., An assessment of the Legal Basis of local Government finances. A paper presented at the workshop on Sustainable Development and Management of IGR of Local Government Council, at the Auditorium of the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute of Quran and General Studies, 15th – 16th July, 2013.
10. Matazu, A.S.R., Legal Restraints of States during Armed Conflict. A paper presented at the Annual Workshop for International humanitarian Law teachers, Rock View Hotel, Abuja, and 18th – 20th July, 2013.
11. Matazu, A.S.R., The Relationship between Universal Declaration of Human Rights and some Earlier Human Rights Treaties. A Seminar presented at the Faculty of Law, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, 27th March, 2014.
12. Matazu, A.S.R., An Overview of the African Charter of Human and Peoples, Rights. A Seminar Paper presented at the Faculty of Law, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, 19th June, 2014.
13. Matazu, A.S.R., Consumer in the Hands of Public Utilities: The Human Rights Question. A Seminar paper presented at the Faculty of Law, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, 4th September, 2014.
14. Matazu, A.S.R., Creating a Synergy between Government and Student Youth Groups for Socio-political and Economic Empowerment of Katsina Stat. A paper presented at thre occasion of the Inauguration of the Executive Council of the National Association of Katsina State Students, at Katsina State Secretariat Conference Hall, 11th July, 2015.
15. Matazu, A.S.R., The Relevance of Clinical Legal Education and Law Clinics in Grooming Law Students. A paper presented at a one-day Sensitisation Programme, at the Moot Court of Faculty of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 11th August, 2015.
16. Matazu, A.S.R., Promotion and Application of International Humanitarian Law during Armed Conflict. A seminar paper presented at the Faculty of Law, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, 5th November, 2015.
17. Matazu, A.S.R., Islamic Legal Perspective on Gender Parity, Wealth Creation and Women Empowerment. A paper presented at a One-day Knowledge Update Workshop on Marital and Family Relations, organised by WRAPA, at the Congregation Hall, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 4th August, 2018.
18. Matazu, A.S.R. et al, Legal Research and Reference Checks: The Need to Develop Legal Software Package. A paper presented at the 52 Nigerian Association of Law Teachers’’ Conference, at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, 1st – 5th July, 2019.
19. Matazu, A.S.R. Preventive Detention, National Security and Right to personal Liberty, A paper presented at the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Katsina Branch, at the Justice Umaru Abdullahi Auditorium, High Court of justice, Katsina, Katsina State, on 12th September, 2019.