AMB. GBARA AWANEN, Ph.D, mni

DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

A retired Foreign Service Officer, Ambassador Gbara Awanen has vast experience in diplomacy, public policy, intelligence, and geopolitical and strategic risk assessment. He served at several Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad, including in London, Geneva, and Washington D. C. He was Speechwriter and Director of Strategic Communication to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2003 and 2005.

Prior to joining the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute as Director of Studies, Ambassador Awanen was Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Baze University, Abuja, where he taught Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Studies, and Intelligence Analysis. He is a member of the Governing Council of The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State. He received a Presidential Commendation in 2022 in appreciation of “a grateful nation for diligent service and exemplary professionalism and contributions to the attainment of the mandate of the National Intelligence Agency.”

Ambassador Awanen’s academic accomplishments include a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Masters and Doctorate degrees in International Relations, with specialization in international security and strategy. Key professional and leadership training experience include participation in the Senior Executive Course (SEC 35) of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, and the Executive Leaders in Government Program of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Massachusetts, United States of America. He has authored and presented niche papers on international affairs, diplomacy, security and intelligence to diverse audiences in Nigeria and in the United States. He is author of Fragile States and the Crisis of Regionalism in West Africa, available at www.amazon.co.uk.

Ambassador Awanen is married to Mrs. Janet Sira Awanen, and the couple has three children.

Ambassador Awanen is married to Mrs. Janet Sira Awanen, and the couple has three children.