Prof. Humphrey Nwosu

Nigerian-born Humphrey Nwosu is a consummate public administrator, academic, technocrat, and political scientist. Dr. Nwosu studied political science at the University of California at Berkeley where he earned Master’s and doctoral degrees in political science ((Magna Cum Laude) in 1973 and 1976 respectively. He subsequently returned to his native country to teach at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he rose to become a full-time tenured professor.

In 1986, Nwosu was tapped by the Anambra State Government to serve as Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Commissioner of Agriculture before he landed the challenging job as Nigeria’s top electoral officer in 1989 As the Chairman of Nigeria Election Commission, Nwosu supervised the 1993 presidential election that was considered the freest election ever held in Nigeria.

When Prof. Nwosu left office in 1993 after the annulment of June 12 Presidential election, he returned to teaching at the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he formally retired in 1999. He subsequently concentrated the next six years to community service, helping the less privileged and providing improved communal service.

Between 2000 and 2008, he devoted much of his time to reflections on his experience in running the Nigeria Electoral Commission which resulted in the book: Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and its Annulment.

In 2009, he presented the lead paper on Nigerian Political Parties to the conference of Nigerian Political Parties held in Sokoto State, Nigeria. That same year, Prof. Nwosu’s opinion was sought after at the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Committee on Electoral Reform in Nigeria headed by then Nigeria’s Chief Justice Uwais.

Since retirement, Prof. Nwosu has been the toast of the media, often invited for commentaries and perspectives on political and social reforms in Nigeria and Africa.

Nwosu has published several articles in international journals and also authored several books including Political Authority and Nigerian Civil ServiceProblems of Nigerian Administration: A Book of Reading; Introduction to PoliticsMoral Education in NigeriaHow to Conduct Free and Fair Election; and the latest Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and its Annulment.