Prof. Jimoh Amzat
Professor of Medical Sociology and Social Problems, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Member, PollsAfrica Expert Network for Nigeria
Professor of Medical Sociology and Social Problems, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto · Sokoto, Nigeria
Areas of expertise
- Survey research
- Public health
- Social development
- Research ethics and bioethics
- Medical sociology
- Northern Nigeria
Research focus
Prof. Amzat works on medical sociology, global health, bioethics and social problems, with a focus on health and social questions in Africa. His research has covered maternal health and autonomy, early marriage and the role of faith leaders, adolescent sexual health, community knowledge of child illness, and the social response to disease outbreaks including COVID-19 in Nigeria.
He is skilled in combining qualitative and quantitative methods and in participatory rapid appraisal, and in building community engagement approaches that last beyond a single project. His consulting work for development and humanitarian organisations includes baseline studies, endline evaluations and assessments in Northern Nigeria, and he has also carried out ethics reviews of research projects.
Selected experience
- Professor, Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
- Senior Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg (2018 to present)
- Honorary Fellow, Teesside University (2023 to present)
- Endline evaluation of a multisectoral assessment of nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and livelihoods in the northeast and northwest, Christian Aid (2022)
- Baseline and stock-taking study of disaster risk reduction and social protection in Kaduna and Sokoto, COOPI, Christian Aid and the European Commission (2021)
- Assessment of community volunteer mobilisers in Kano and Sokoto, UNICEF Nigeria (2025)
- Review and documentation of community engagement approaches in four states, DFID and the Norwegian Government (2011)
Education
- Postdoctoral fellowship (2013), School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, Germany (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation)
- Master of Bioethics (2010), KU Leuven, Radboud University and University of Padua
- PhD, Sociology (2009), University of Ibadan
- MSc, Sociology (2004), University of Ibadan
- BSc (Hons), Sociology (2000), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Selected publications
- Amzat, J. and Razum, O. (2022). Globalization, Health and the Global South: A Critical Approach. Routledge. doi.org/10.4324/9781003247975
- Amzat, J. and Razum, O. (2018). Towards a Sociology of Health Discourse in Africa. Springer.
- Amzat, J. and Razum, O. (2014). Medical Sociology in Africa. Springer.
- Amzat, J. et al. (2020). Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria: burden and socio-medical response during the first 100 days. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 98, 218-224. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.06.067
- Amzat, J. (2020). Faith effect and voice on early marriage in a Nigerian state. SAGE Open. doi.org/10.1177/2158244020919513
Professional memberships
- African Sociological Association
- Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)
- International Sociological Association
How Prof. Amzat strengthens PollsAfrica studies
On a PollsAfrica study, a key expert is a named person who answers for the work, not a name on a list. Prof. Amzat helps in four areas.
Research ethics and consent
He holds a Master's in bioethics and has reviewed the ethics of research projects. He advises on consent, confidentiality and the care needed with sensitive topics and vulnerable respondents.
Qualitative and mixed-method design
He reads our designs, interview guides and questionnaires and tells us where the method will not answer the question, and how qualitative and survey evidence can be combined.
Northern Nigeria context
He has worked for years in Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina and neighbouring states. He helps us understand local context, community structures and how to approach households and leaders.
Health and humanitarian studies
For studies on health, nutrition, social protection and humanitarian response, he advises on how the questions are framed and how the findings are read.
His role is to give expert context and a second pair of eyes. PollsAfrica stays responsible for every study and for what we publish.
Back to all advisors and experts. This profile is published with the expert’s permission. He is a member of our expert network, not a member of staff.