Dr. Naomi Andrew Haruna: Championing Culture, Peace, and Empowerment in Africa
A Distinguished Advocate for Cultural Sustainability
Dr. Naomi Andrew Haruna is a leading voice in cultural sustainability, peace promotion, and gender empowerment in Nigeria and beyond. With over a decade of international exposure and field experience, she embodies a rare blend of academic excellence, practical innovation, and humanitarian impact. Fluent in English, German, and Hausa, she leverages language and culture as tools for social inclusion and community transformation.
Academic
Dr. Haruna holds a PhD in Cultural Sustainability (Visual Communication) from the University of Maiduguri. Her doctoral research explored the use of visual representations to foster peace among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northeast Nigeria. Her work introduced a bottom-up communication model that has proven effective in promoting social cohesion in conflict-affected regions.
She also earned a Master’s Degree in Advertising and Marketing from Coventry University, UK, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Arts, specializing in Graphics.
A Leader in Peace Promotion and Visual Storytelling
As a senior lecturer in Industrial Design, University of Maiduguri, Dr. Naomi teaches and mentors future visual communicators. Her research bridges art, education, and social development. Her visual campaigns have become vital instruments in addressing issues of peace, displacement, gender equity, and sustainable development.
Driving International Collaboration
Dr. Naomi serves as Nigeria’s coordinator for two major international projects:
SDG Graduate School Performing Sustainability, a partnership among universities in Nigeria, Ghana, and Germany.
KOSTIMA Project, focusing on counter-hegemonic voices through archival music documentation.
She collaborates with institutions like the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and is a cultural liaison, advocating for heritage preservation and international repatriation of cultural artefacts.
Empowering Women and Communities
Through hands-on training and skill acquisition programmes, she has empowered hundreds of rural women and displaced individuals across Bauchi and Borno States. Her work in visual storytelling, textile art, and community training has transformed countless lives.
Her commitment to grassroots development is evident in workshops, residencies, and panel discussions worldwide, from Abuja to Austria and Germany.
Recognized Researcher and Speaker
Dr. Haruna is a Salzburg Fellow and has held a research fellowship with the University of Siegen in Germany. She is a sought-after speaker at global conferences, including African Studies Association events in the U.S., ICCROM in Italy, and various African-European partnerships.
Her publications span peace media, development communication, cultural education, and gender studies, many of which are used as academic references.
Dr Naomi Andrew Haruna remains a passionate advocate for a peaceful and culturally vibrant Africa.
Her legacy continues to grow bold, compassionate, and rooted in the belief that art and culture can heal, educate, and unite.
