Education Social and Health Mission, MESH, of the NSCIA had on July 1, 2025 announced the appointment of Dr. Aminu Hayatu, an acclaimed track recorder in evidence-based policy and programming for vulnerable groups and fragile communities, as its new Chief Executive Officer effective July 2025.
Mr Hayatu’s unique integration of scholarly rigour, field-level program execution, and high-impact policy advocacy positions him to advance MESH’s mission at scale.
Mr Hayatu is a recognized authority at the nexus of policy, conflict resolution, and development Holding a Ph.D. in Strategic Studies and an M.Sc. in Political Economy, his work transcends academic boundaries to directly inform interventions across education, health, economic justice, and environmental governance.
He uniquely operationalizes intersectional research-spanning identity politics, peacebuilding and, environmental governance into actionable frameworks for underserved populations.
His leadership as Executive Director of the Mother-earth Foundation exemplifies this hybrid approach translating research on community fragility into on-ground programming while advising and consulting for global development institutions.
Maiyaki’s Appointment Will Boost Governance Media Unity-NUJ KD
As Lead Conflict and Crises Researcher for Amnesty International Nigeria (2021–2024), he directed field research that shaped humanitarian response and policy reform in simple and complex conflict settings.
Mr Hayatyu’s influence extends through prestigious affiliations as a Visiting Research Fellow at CEDDERT, Senior Resident Fellow at CITAD, Research Trainer at AKCDR&T, and Program Fellow at AfriPeace.
His consultancy collaborations with the MacArthur Foundation, CISLAC, WARDC, WRAPA, and others demonstrate his capacity to bridge academia, civil society, and philanthropy.
His standing as a Fellow of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, IISS, and Ife Institute of Advanced Studies, IIAS, underscores his global strategic perspective.
CSOs Celebrate Appointment of Waiya, Ma’aji as Commissioners
A recipient of the Amir Shehu Idris Prize for Research & Development, Mr Hayatu’s extensive publications dissect critical themes of conflict, ungoverned spaces, and community resilience, shaping international discourse.
Rasaki Oladejo, FCS, Chairman of MESH’s Board, stated: “Dr. Hayatu embodies the rare integration of intellectual depth, operational expertise, and policy acumen we sought. His proven ability to convert research into transformative programs for marginalized groups, coupled with his global network and unwavering commitment to humanity makes him the definitive leader to accelerate MESH’s impact across education, social and health, in Nigeria and across Africa.”
Mr Hayatu remarked: “MESH represents a vital platform for translating evidence into emancipatory practice. I am committed to leveraging our collective expertise and my hybrid background in research, programming, and policy to co-create sustainable solutions with fragile communities.
“Our work will relentlessly focus on dismantling structural inequities through innovation and partnership.”
MESH is an implementing agency of the NSCIA that drives scalable solutions and interventions at the intersection of health, education, and economic equity for vulnerable groups and frahile communities in Nigeria and Africa.
Daily Nigerian