Aishatu Shehu Maimota

Dr. Aishatu Shehu Maimota is a Lecturer I in the Department of Nigerian Languages at Northwest University, Kano, Nigeria, and an Adjunct/Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, Foreign and Nigerian Languages at the National Open University of Nigeria. Her research focuses on Hausa literature, particularly contemporary Hausa prose fiction, digital and online novels, oral literature, literary criticism, and the relationship between literature and Hausa sociocultural life. Her work explores the evolution of Hausa literary expression in the digital age, including the use of social media platforms for literary production and dissemination, as well as narrative techniques, language use, and representations of society in Hausa fiction. She has authored books on contemporary Hausa novels and published scholarly articles and book chapters in academic journals and edited volumes. She has also presented papers at national and international conferences on Hausa language, literature, culture, and digital narratives. In addition to her research, she has extensive experience in university and college teaching, undergraduate project supervision, academic administration, and curriculum development. She has contributed to Hausa language education through teaching, course development, translation, academic writing workshops, and participation in literary and cultural initiatives, including the BBC Hausa Hikayata short-story competition. She holds a Ph.D. in Hausa Literature from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

I am a scholar whose research is situated at the intersection of language literature, digital communication, and cultural studies. My scholarly interests are driven by a commitment to understanding how language reflects, preserves, and transforms the social and cultural realities of Hausa-speaking communities. Through interdisciplinary inquiry, I seek to contribute to knowledge production that strengthens indigenous languages, promotes cultural sustainability, and addresses contemporary challenges arising from technological and social change. A major focus of my research is digital Hausa literature and narratives. I am particularly interested in examining how social media platforms and other digital spaces have reshaped storytelling traditions, literary production, and reader engagement. My work investigates how online narratives preserve cultural values while simultaneously reflecting changing identities, social norms, and emerging forms of expression. By studying these evolving literary practices, I aim to demonstrate the role of digital storytelling in documenting contemporary Hausa society and expanding the scope of African literary scholarship. Another important area of my scholarship is language innovation among Hausa youth, particularly the emergence of neologisms in social media communication. I examine how young people create and disseminate new lexical forms across digital platforms and how these innovations influence the structure, vocabulary, and future development of the Hausa language. While recognizing language change as a natural linguistic process, I am equally interested in assessing the implications of uncontrolled lexical innovation for language standardization, intergenerational communication, and the preservation of linguistic heritage. My research therefore combines sociolinguistic analysis with practical concerns for language planning and development. 

My academic interests also extend to Hausa literary criticism, stylistics, discourse analysis, and cultural representation. I explore the ways in which literary texts construct social realities, negotiate tradition and modernity, and communicate moral, historical, and ideological perspectives. By employing both qualitative and interdisciplinary approaches, I seek to deepen scholarly understanding of Hausa literary expression and its relevance to broader discussions in African humanities. These research interests align closely with the mission of KASC, particularly its dedication to advancing scholarship on African languages, cultures, and societies. I am especially interested in collaborating with scholars whose work promotes indigenous knowledge systems, digital humanities, language documentation, and cultural preservation. Such collaboration would provide opportunities to broaden the theoretical and methodological dimensions of my research while contributing meaningful perspectives from Hausa linguistic and literary traditions. 

Looking ahead, I intend to expand my research into comparative studies of African digital language and literatures, investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on indigenous language use, and develop strategies for preserving linguistic and cultural heritage in the digital age. I also aspire to mentor emerging researchers and contribute to policy discussions on language education, digital literacy, and the sustainable development of African languages. Ultimately, my scholarly goal is to produce research that is academically rigorous, socially relevant, and internationally recognized. Through collaborative research, publication, and knowledge exchange at KASC, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of Hausa language and culture while supporting broader efforts to promote Africa’s rich linguistic and literary heritage in an increasingly digital world.