Dr. Abubakar Abubakar Usman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, where he specializes in globalization, development, and the politics of Africa and the Middle East. With a multidisciplinary background spanning International Relations, Diplomacy, and Islamic Finance, Dr. Usman is a prolific scholar whose work bridges theory and policy.

Academic Leadership

Dr. Usman currently serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, teaching Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. He has also been invited as a Guest Speaker at institutions including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Nile University, Nigeria, sharing his expertise on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and real-world application, shaped by earlier roles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and as an English instructor for Saudi Schools Kuala Lumpur. He has also been appointed International Research Associate and International Academic Adviser at Hormuud University.

Research Contributions

A dedicated researcher, Dr. Usman has held several prestigious fellowships, including a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at IIUM's Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), where he explored the intersection of Islamic finance and global development. As a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Studies Circle at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC), he fosters cross-civilizational dialogue and evidence-based policy recommendations. His research has appeared in leading journals such as the South African Journal of International Affairs, Global Society, and Contemporary Islam, alongside contributed chapters in Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan volumes on Islamic finance, African diplomacy, and human rights.

He actively peer-reviews for Web of Science-indexed journals, including Security Journal and SN Social Sciences, and is currently developing two book projects: The Political Economy of Africa-Asia Relations (Routledge) and Coups in 21st Century Africa (Palgrave Macmillan).

Policy and Public Engagement

Beyond academia, Dr. Usman is a sought-after commentator on African geopolitics, contributing to platforms such as Africa@LSE, Daily Trust, and The Conversation. His analyses on ECOWAS, military coups, and Nigeria's foreign policy have helped shape public discourse. He has also served as an interpreter and translator for Malaysian government agencies, drawing on his fluency in English, Arabic, and Hausa.

Education and Honors

• PhD in International Relations (Globalization & Development), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

• Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (CGPA: 4.00), UKM

• Master of Political Science (CGPA: 3.83), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

• BA in Arabic/Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Professional Affiliations

• Member, International Studies Association (ISA)

• Associate Member, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS)

For a full list of publications and research projects, visit his Google Scholar or ORCID profiles.

Contact:
Email: abubakar.usman@um.edu.my | Phone: +60 162417993
Address: Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya