He is the current Dean of Faculty of Arts University of Maiduguri. He is former Head of Department of Languages and Linguistics. His area of specialization is Mophophology with specific interest in Tonology and has published in many National and International Journals. Prof. Shettima contributed chapters in books covering his area of interest and has edited Maiduguri Journals of Literary Studies, and has also edited Festschrift in honour of Prof. late Yaganami Karta, Prof. Shettima Umara Bulakarima and Prof. Mohammed Munkaila.