Dr. John Tor Tsuwa
Political Science Scholar & Governance Specialist
John Tor Tsuwa is a senior political scientist at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, Nigeria. With over 28 years of academic and professional experience, he specializes in peace and conflict resolution, governance, and strategic studies. He holds two Ph.D. degrees—one in Political Science (2014) and another in Defence and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy (2017). He is currently Deputy Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Studies.
Key Achievements
- •Published 40 scholarly works including journal articles and book chapters on conflict, governance, and African politics
- •Served as Chairman of Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (2016-2018), ensuring electoral integrity
- •Deputy Director of Centre for Peace and Development Studies (September 2023-Present)
- •Secretary General of Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) spanning Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon
- •Supervised 2+ postgraduate students and 70+ undergraduate students in political science and related fields
Education
Professional Experience
Deputy Director
Centre for Peace and Development Studies, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University
September 2023 - Present
Lead policy implementation direction of the Centre, design academic and professional programmes including BSc Peace Studies, MSc Humanitarian and Refugee Studies, and MA Religion and Peace Studies. Manage ADR desk, implement Grievance Redress System, coordinate external collaborations, and manage grants on behalf of the Centre.
Chairman
Benue State Independent Electoral Commission
2016 - 2018
Served as Chief Electoral Officer managing staff at headquarters and 24 local governments. Designed and directed electoral processes, managed party primaries, oversaw voter registration, and coordinated security for free, fair and credible elections across Benue State.
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science
Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi
2006 - 2016
Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in peace studies, conflict resolution, defence and strategic studies, and governance. Served as Editor of Journal of Political and Administrative Studies, organized academic conferences and departmental lecture series. Supervised 32+ postgraduate and 70+ undergraduate students.
Consultant on Peace, Conflict and Governance
Multiple International Organizations (SPRiNG/TETRA TECH, OSPRE, British Council, CHD, Catholic Diocese)
2022 - 2025
Conducted research on mining and violence in North Central Nigeria, developed concepts for peace and reconciliation commissions, led baseline surveys on peacebuilding and early warning systems. Facilitated dialogue processes with ethnic communities on farmer-herder conflicts and natural resource management.
Areas of Specialization
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Governance & Electoral Studies
Security & Strategic Policy
Defence and Strategic Studies
African Politics
Conflict Analysis and Mediation
Electoral Integrity
Humanitarian and Refugee Studies
Professional Memberships & Honors
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