Mohammed-Sani Abdulai
Mohammed-Sani Abdulai | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1956 Yendi, Northern Region, Ghana |
| Occupation(s) | Academic, Information technology expert |
| Known for | Contributions to Internet infrastructure in Ghana; President of Lakeside University College |
Mohammed-Sani Abdulai is a distinguished Ghanaian academic and information technology expert recognized for his instrumental contributions to establishing Internet infrastructure within Ghana. He presently holds the position of president at Lakeside University College.
Early life and education
Born on 2 May 1956 in Yendi, located in Ghana's Northern Region, Abdulai is the son of Abdulai Adam, who worked as a vulcanizer in Tamale, and Martha Sandow, who engaged in small-scale trading.
His secondary education took place at Government Secondary School (currently Tamale Senior High School) from 1969 until 1974, where he focused on Sciences. Subsequently, he completed his GCE Advanced-Level studies at Bawku Senior High School in 1976, taking subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Economics, and General Paper.
In 1980, Abdulai obtained an honours bachelor's degree with a major in mathematics and a minor in physics from the University of Cape Coast, complemented by a diploma in mathematics education. During his time there, he served as a faculty intern at the university's Computer Centre, an experience that ignited his passion for information technology. He also pursued further studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
Career
Abdulai has played significant roles on various Ghanaian ICT boards and advisory committees such as the National ICT Policy and Planning Committee and the National Communications Authority. As of August 2017, he was chairing the board of the National Information Technology Agency, held a board membership at the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency, acted as an ICT consultant designate for the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems, served as vice-chair for the Ghana chapter of the Internet Society, and led the executive management team of the Information Technology Association of Ghana.
His academic career between 1994 and 2007 included lecturing positions at institutions like the University of Ghana, National College of Banking, GIMPA, and Ashesi University.
From 2007 through 2012, Abdulai was Director of Research, Innovation, and Development at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT. He subsequently directed Institutional Research, Innovation, and Development efforts at both the Madina Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Professional Studies. In 2015, he established the African Centre For Development Informatics, a consultancy dedicated to harnessing informatics for advancing Africa's growth.
Since 2017, Abdulai has overseen Information Services and Technology at the Ghana Hajj Commission. After serving as vice-president at Madina Institute until 2019, he was elevated to president in 2021, succeeding Abdulai Salifu Asuro.