From the heart of Kano State emerges a young journalist whose passion for history, culture, and truth-telling has steadily carved him a place in Nigeria’s digital media space. Umar Idris Shuaibu, the Publisher of The Historica Nigeria, is one of the new-generation voices reshaping journalism with a blend of tradition and modernity.
Born in 1994 at Durumin Zungura Quarters in Kano Municipal, Umar grew up in a household where discipline, knowledge, and heritage were deeply valued. His father, Malam Idris Shuaibu, hails from the Fulani community, while his mother, Hajara Shuaibu, brought with her the legacy of scholarship, her father was a respected Islamic scholar who also served in the Nigerian Prisons Service (now Nigerian Correctional Service).
Umar’s early education was spread across Gidan Makama Primary School and Adda’awah in Hotoro, Tarauni Local Government. With a curious mind and determination, he proceeded to Government Secondary School, Hotoro, before gaining admission into the prestigious Government Science College, Dawakin Kudu, in 2009, after excelling in the Science and Technical Schools Board Examination.
His academic journey eventually led him to Kano State Polytechnic, where he built a strong foundation in both communication and administration. Over the years, he acquired a Diploma in Mass Communication, an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration, a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration, and later capped it with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Human Resource.
But Umar’s story is not confined to classrooms alone. His professional path in journalism began at Freedom Radio, Kano’s first indigenous private FM station, where he spent four years honing his skills as a reporter, presenter, and sub-editor. In 2020, he became the pioneer reporter for Daily News 24, an online newspaper in Kano, before moving to Premier Radio in 2022 as a news producer. Alongside, he contributes his expertise to Kano State Investment and Properties Limited.
Unionism also features in his story. While working in the financial sector, he actively supported the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFIE), KSIP Chapter, reflecting his commitment to workers’ welfare and collective growth.
Today, Umar channels his experience into The Historica Nigeria, a digital news platform he founded to document history, promote cultural heritage, and give context to topical issues in Nigeria. His journalistic interests span agriculture, the environment, and human-interest stories, giving voice to communities often underrepresented in mainstream narratives.
Away from the newsroom, Umar finds joy in family life. He is married to Hauwa Abdullahi Shuaibu, and together they are blessed with a daughter, Hajara (Nawwara).
