Professor Abdullateef Usman

Biography

Professor Abdullateef Usman popular called blackson by friends and colleagues is a renowned Nigerian economist, academic leader, and public policy specialist who serves as a Professor of Labour and Industrial Economics at Fountain University, Osogbo. With a career spanning several decades across Nigeria's top tertiary institutions, he is highly respected for his structural insights into utility pricing, corporate governance, and higher education reforms.

Education

Professor Usman holds advanced degrees from two of Nigeria's premier universities:

• B.Sc. in Economics: Graduated from [Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria] in 1984.
• M.Sc. in Economics: Obtained his Master's degree from the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) following studies between 1987 and 1997.
• PhD in Economics: Earned his doctorate from [Ahmadu Bello University] in 2004.

Career Timeline & Academic Leadership

He has progressed through critical teaching, research, and managerial roles:

• Lecturing Roles: Former Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University and Former Lecturer at the University of Ilorin.
• Acting Vice-Chancellor: He served as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of [Fountain University, Osogbo]
• University Governance: He acts as a Dean and a prominent member of the Governing Council at Fountain University.
• 4th Inaugural Lecture: He delivered the university's landmark [4th Inaugural Lecture], focusing heavily on labour economics and utility-sector analysis.
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, where he oversees academic affairs and institutional development.

Corporate & Regulatory Engagements

Beyond classrooms, his expertise is utilised by regulatory bodies and corporate boards:

• Electricity Regulation: He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (FNERC), specialising in unbundled power sectors, consumer satisfaction metrics, and electricity distribution pricing.
• Hydropower Development: Appointed as a Research Fellow at the National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development.
• Financial Sector: He brings economic governance into practice as a Board Member for Apeks Microfinance Bank.

Public Advocacy & Views

Professor Usman is a strong media voice on developmental politics:

• Funding Reforms: He actively campaigns for the Federal Government to include private universities in TETFUND beneficiary schemes.
• National Growth: He publicly advocates that substantial funding for academic infrastructure is the primary antidote to Nigeria's economic stagnation.