Prof. Najafi Auwalu Ibrahim is a Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management at the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Rwanda, under the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) program. Hailing from Rijiyar Lemo in Kano State, Nigeria, he has an impressive academic background, with a second-class upper division Bachelor of Business Administration from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Dr. Najafi secured a scholarship for his M.Sc. Management and PhD Entrepreneurship from University Utara Malaysia (Eminent Management University), from the Kano State Government and Universiti Utara Malaysia respectively.

He has served as Coordinator of Masters in Entrepreneurship Dangote Business School, Level Cordinator and Examination Officer of Dept of Business Admin, respectively. He has taught courses in entrepreneurship and strategy at both undergraduate and graduate levels at Bayero University, Kano and the American University of Nigeria, Yola, using the opportunity to mentor young entrepreneurs in starting new businesses. He was a Senate member of the university, a representative of the Senate at SBC and a member of many committees.

He is a team member of ongoing research under the TETFUND National Research Fund (NRF) titled "Effect Of Entrepreneurship Education Programme On Students Entrepreneurial Intention and Self Employment'. Najafi has presented papers at local and international conferences, written articles in the high impact factor journals, and served as a reviewer to many International Journals. He also received the Best Presenter Award at the AFAP Conference 2014. He is an expert in SPSS and SmartPLS, a second-generation analytical tool.

As a certified Business Development Service Provider (BDSP), he has consulted for many local and international businesses and organisations such as UNCHR through the Atiku Institute for Development (AID), LINKS and NISP Nigeria. He is dedicated to establishing effective networks among key stakeholders, with a simple mission of driving economic inclusion and wealth creation through entrepreneurship development, making a significant contribution to sustainable development and social impact.