Professor Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir was born on February 16, 1953, in Dekina, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. He started his education at the Native Authority Primary School (Junior and Senior), Dekina, in 1962 and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1965.
He bagged a Certificate of Attendance from the Arabic Central School, Idah (1969), Grade II Teachers Certificate from the College of Arts and Arabic Studies, Sokoto in 1975; and Advanced Level Certificate in History, Islamic Studies and Education from the School of Preliminary Studies, Abdullahi Bayero College (Ahmadu Bello University), Kano, in 1977.
Professor Abdulkadir began his undergraduate studies at Bayero University, Kano in 1977, and graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History (Second Class Upper) in 1980. He obtained a Graduate Certificate in Education from the institution same year.
The new Vice Chancellor crowned his academic exploits with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Economic History from Bayero University in 1990.
Professor Abdulkadir began his working career as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History, Bayero University, Kano, 1981, and rose through the ranks to become Professor of Economic History in October, 2000.
He has taught several courses at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Ph.D levels at Bayero University, Kano, and other University/degree awarding institutions as Visiting Lecturer.
Professor Abdulkadir has served as Head of Department of History, Deputy Dean of Postgraduate School as well as Chairman and member of numerous ad-hoc and standing Committees at Bayero University, Kano.
He has served as member, Governing body, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, and member, Governing body, Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Professor Abdulkadir has also served as member, National Universities Commission (NUC) Accreditation Panels to various Universities across the country and served as external assessor to many academic staff seeking promotion to the rank of Professor and Associate Professor.
He is a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (FHSN), Alumni/Fellow, Cambridge University, United Kingdom and member of many other professional bodies and associations.
Professor Abdulkadir has numerous publications in reputable local and international journals. He has successfully supervised many Ph.D and Masters degree students.
In 2008, The People’s Conference for Peace in Nigeria conferred Advocacy for Peace Award on him in recognition of his contribution to peace building in the country.
Until his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he was a member of the Governing Council of Kogi State University.
Professor M.S. Abdulkadir is married with children.
