Professor Paul Sambo Amaza is an experienced agricultural economist with over 20 years of research for development in Africa's agricultural development. He graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 1981, and later obtained his MSc, MPhil, and PhD from the University of London, University of Nottingham, and University of Ibadan, respectively. Prof. Amaza has held various positions in the university system, including being the pioneer Head of Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension at the University of Jos. He is also a member of several professional bodies and has over 70 scientific publications in national and international research outlets.
Professor Paul Sambo AMAZA graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 1981 with B.Sc. in Agriculture. He also attended the University of London, University of Nottingham and University of Ibadan where he obtained M. Sc., MPhil and PhD respectively in the field of Agricultural Economics.
Prof. Amaza started his working career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Maiduguri in August 1982, and rose to become professor of Agricultural Economics in October 2005. While at the University of Maiduguri, he was Head of Department of Agricultural Economics between 1995 -1997 and 2000 to 2004. He was also previously a Visiting Agricultural Economist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), where he worked on Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded project, ‘Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in Borno State, Nigeria’ for 5 years: 2004-2009. Professor Amaza’s work involved linking farmers with markets; improved policy environment and capacity building activities of farmers and project partners that enhance sustainable agriculture in Borno State.
In September 2013, Prof. Amaza joined the University of Jos and was at the Department of Economics before moving to the Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension in April 2014 and was appointed as the pioneer Head of Department. In November 2016, he was elected as the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. During his tenure as Dean, The Faculty got full accreditation by the NUC in April 2019. Currently, Prof. Amaza is the Director of the newly established, TetFund Centre of Excellence in Food Security at the University of Jos.
Other positions and responsibilities held by Professor Amaza outside the University system and in the wider community includes:
- Vice Chairman and Member of the Ministerial Agricultural Policy Advisory Group, appointed by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, June 2014 to May 2015.
- Member, Borno State Agricultural Transformation Committee. Appointed by the Executive Governor, Borno State, 2011-2013
- Board Chairman, Kulp Theological Seminary, Kwarhi, Mubi in Adamawa State: 2014 to 2020
Prof. Amaza has over twenty years’ experience in research for development in Africa’s agricultural development. Prof. Amaza has over the years undertaken international agricultural research for development institutions including, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), The World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC), United States Development Agency (USAID), The World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) amongst many others.
He has over 70 Scientific publications in national and international research outlets in the areas of agricultural productivity, agricultural policy, food security and poverty. He has also served as Editor and/or Reviewer for several international and national journals, including: -African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Applied Economics Letters amongst many others.
Professor Amaza is a member of several professional bodies including: International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE), African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) and Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists (NAAE). Professor Amaza is a recipient of Award in Recognition of Contributions to Agricultural Research and Improving Livelihoods in Africa: 2004-2009 by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Prof. Amaza hails from Wandali in Kwaya Kusar LGA of Borno State. He is married to Habiba and the union is blessed with Five Children and Six grandchildren.