Dr. Rafiu Abdulwahab, PhD, is a seasoned educationist, researcher, and academic administrator with extensive expertise in Early Childhood and Primary School Administration and Management.

He currently serves as a Visiting Professor at Global Nation Open University while holding a substantive appointment in the Department of Adult and Primary Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Dr. Abdulwahab earned his PhD from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He obtained his Master’s degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also holds the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from the Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State. His academic background reflects a strong and consistent commitment to educational development at foundational and advanced levels.

Administratively, Dr. Abdulwahab has held numerous leadership positions. He served as Deputy Postgraduate Coordinator for M.Ed/PhD Adult Education Studies and Childhood Education Studies between July 2023 and September 2024. He is currently the Postgraduate Coordinator for Adult and Primary Education at the Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin. His roles also include Faculty Representative on the Board of the Institute of Education, Undergraduate Departmental Project Coordinator, and Level Adviser, among others.

Previously, he was a Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education at the Federal College of Education, Kano (2011–2015), where he held several administrative responsibilities. He was also the Pioneer Head of School at Noble Guide School, Abuja, in 2011, and later the Pioneer Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education at Poma University from 2022 to 2024.

Dr. Abdulwahab is an active Facilitator and Assessor for the NTI/BDP/DLP at the Ilorin Study Centre, Nana Aisha Memorial College of Education, and an Adjunct Lecturer for the NPE Degree and Sandwich Programme at Ekiti State University (College of Education, Ilorin Campus). He has also served as an External Examiner for postgraduate programs in Early Childhood and Primary Education at Kwara State University (KWASU).

With over forty-two (42) academic publications in local, national, and international outlets, Dr. Abdulwahab has made significant scholarly contributions. He has supervised more than 250 undergraduate projects and seven (7) postgraduate students. He is a registered member of several professional bodies, including TRCN, ECAN, PATTEAN, ANE, and SOSCEAN, reflecting his enduring commitment to educational excellence and professional service.