Opinion

By Abdalla Uba Adamu

My most recent post on the Hausa traditional technologies of cloth-making and weaving raised a very interesting—and very welcome—comment: did I use AI to write the post? The simple answer is no. Now, let me unpack the issue (and while this sentence is not AI-generated, it is definitely AI-syntax!!!).

I have noticed over several weeks postings that are definitely AI by people whose writing I am quite familiar with. You get to notice these things after almost half-century of teaching and supervising student projects and dissertations at all level, and all in the English language. Words that keep popping up in these recent postings include: “ecosystem”, “DNA”, “spine”, “architecture”, “chamber”, “leverage”, “cartography”, “nuance”, “cascade”, and of course, “unpack.” 

Generative AI produces prose in a neat, grammatically correct and often archaic language. When someone is not used to writing in that syntax and they suddenly do, then it is AI at work. And words that don’t belong in normal conversation. For God’s sake, how frequently do you use “ecosystem” or “DNA”? But suddenly they begin to appear in someone’s writing! Even if it is not directly AI, you were subtly influenced by AI Grammar!

Further, AI can produce perfect grammar and spelling, but the content often lacks depth or original insight. Do you see spelling errors or factual mistakes? That’s human, not AI. Do you see polished perfect grammatically error-free narrative? Suspect, but not always, AI, especially if the person is not a seasoned or regular writer.

As I assured my commenter, none of my postings has ever been written by AI, nor will it be. Every word, comma and period are made by me in Ɗorayi Babba, Kano! My writing might seem like AI simply because I use an academic register in my normal writing. In other words, ingantaccen turanci, which the AI machine is not used to seeing in social media posts. AI detectors are guessing probabilities—not identifying authorship. I write very carefully, going over what I write at least three times, checking facts, spelling, context, before I press the send paper airplane icon (I also use my laptop for all postings, to avoid mistakes as much as possible).

Pick any of my writings from, say 2001, dump it in AI, it will tell you it was AI-written. This was before the Generative version of AI became commodified social conversations. Thus, in an academic writing AI will not flag my writing. But it might in social media posting because the AI checker will expect a loose, public-oriented syntax. Look for “human flags” in all my writings. In the post in question, the flag is: “Remove the cloth—and we revert back to our animal origins. Our shame exposed, because we are now aware.” No AI will write that because it is a human thought, expressed by a human. In fact, it even tells you that the human is religious—invoking religious imagery to make a point. AI is religiously, spiritually and politically neutral—except Grok!

The passage refers to the awareness Prophet Adam (AS) of his nakedness after eating the Forbidden Fruit in Paradise. The leaf he used to cover himself is now the clothe the picture glorifies—the civilizational tool which separates us from animals that are naked. That is religious philosophy. No AI can come up with this insight.

So, do I use AI?  Referring of course to Generative AI. Of course! In 2026 any person NOT using AI is in serious trouble in the global knowledge economy, in any sphere. I use the paid version which gives me more features (I will not tell you which AI I use so as not to advertise free for them!).

If I am asked to write a chapter for a book or a journal article, I never use AI for the main prose. I use it only to gather titles of reference materials (and I then fly to the Acibilistan Central Library, using Acibilisian Airways, to borrow copies), and I doubly verify the references are real, not AI-hallucination (I have caught it on one or two occasion, and I “warn” it never to give me what it thinks I want; only what is real). But the prose is mine. Funnily enough, even the AI I used is quietly impressed with the titles of my projects—go over my past publications and you will what I mean—and this was before the Generative AI revolution.

I don’t even use it for my lectures. I may ask for lecture outline—and promptly decline any offer of writing the lecture notes. The reason is that all my lectures are based on my ethnographic field experiences—with actual examples of videos, photos, or experiences shared with my students at all levels.

Other cases where I allow AI to draft something for me might be where I am asked on a short notice to be a keynote speaker. But give me weeks’ notice in advance, I cook my own meal.  Or write reference for someone. When it produces the draft, I go over it and input personal touches. (it will write, “he is a hard worker”, I will write, “he is an excellent co-worker and sociable person whom I have known for over ten years”).

One ongoing case where I use the AI is in editing my autobiography, and I find it tremendously useful at that. I have written more than 90% of the book, given it to human editors to correct, mainly article misplacement, grammar etc. Once I subscribed to the paid version of my AI, I send it the previous chapters (which, unwisely, were written in Third Person, but that’s a story for another day). It converted everything to the First Person POV I asked it to. Then it smoothened sentences, polished passages, but, and I warned it right from the beginning, did not add anything. I always use it in editorial mode. Save me lots of money from human editors (and time chasing them for return)! It has an often irritating tendency to lead you to a rabbit hole, but I always claw my way out of it. So, my Prompts tell it to be Editorial, not Authorial. It is a nice relationship that keeps the integrity of my words, and saves me a lot of money in paying human editors to edit the work.

I am happy that people are beginning to notice the increasing rise—and use— of Generative AI, even trying to pinpoint it. This is good. Equally happy that some AI tools are capable of answering Prompts in the Hausa language—thus opening up the Hausaphone world to the global knowledge economy.

Now, I ask you. Do you use Generative AI? In what ways. Are you happy with it, or do you feel you are surrendering your intellect to a machine? Or are you Die Mensch-Maschine (ask your AI to translate that!)?

Abdalla Uba Adamu
Department of Information and Media Studies
Faculty of Communication
Bayero University Kano
March 10, 2026

The recent exchange between Daniel Bwala and Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head programme has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria’s political and media space. The interview, which quickly went viral on social media, has been interpreted by many observers as a revealing moment at the intersection of political communication, accountability, and international journalistic standards.

Appearances on global platforms such as Al Jazeera are rarely routine engagements. Programmes like Head to Head are built on a tradition of rigorous questioning, where political figures are expected to defend their arguments under intense scrutiny. For journalists such as Hasan, whose interviewing style is known for its directness, the objective is not merely to host a conversation but to interrogate claims with evidence, previous statements, and policy records.

It is within this context that Bwala’s performance, a media aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has attracted considerable commentary. Some analysts argue that the controversy surrounding the interview reflects a broader challenge faced by many political spokespersons when transitioning from domestic media environments to global broadcast platforms. International interviews of this nature often demand a high level of preparation, particularly when the subject has an extensive public record that can be referenced during questioning.

One of the most notable aspects of the interview involved the presentation of Bwala’s earlier criticisms of Tinubu during the period leading to the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. Before aligning with the current administration, Bwala had publicly expressed views that were sharply critical of the president and his political movement. During the interview, those earlier remarks were revisited and contrasted with his present role as a defender of the government’s policies.

In professional journalism, such lines of questioning are neither unusual nor inappropriate. Public figures frequently encounter questions about their previous positions, particularly when those positions appear to contradict their current stance. The purpose is not necessarily to embarrass the interviewee, but to test the consistency and credibility of their arguments.

Following the broadcast, Bwala reportedly stated in subsequent media interviews that he felt “ambushed,” suggesting he had not anticipated extensive questioning about his past remarks on Tinubu. That explanation, however, has generated further discussion among media commentators. Critics maintain that any appearance on a programme known for its confrontational format should reasonably come with the expectation that past public statements may be scrutinised.

Beyond the immediate personalities involved, the episode highlights an important issue in Nigeria’s political communication culture. Many public officials are accustomed to interview formats within the local media environment, where questioning can sometimes be less adversarial and more conversational. While this approach may foster cordial interactions between journalists and political actors, it can also create a degree of unpreparedness when officials engage with international media institutions that operate under different professional expectations.

Global news networks often emphasise adversarial journalism as a way of ensuring accountability. Interviewers are expected to challenge power, confront inconsistencies and demand evidence for political claims. Within that framework, the intensity of the Hasan–Bwala exchange was largely consistent with established international broadcasting practices.

There is also a broader dimension to consider. When government representatives appear on international media platforms, their performance inevitably shapes perceptions of their country’s governance and political culture. Such appearances, therefore, carry implications that extend beyond individual reputations, touching on issues of national image and diplomatic communication.

Nevertheless, the controversy surrounding the interview also offers a useful moment for reflection. Nigeria’s democratic system benefits from open engagement with the media, both domestically and internationally. In an era where information circulates instantly across borders, political communicators must recognise that past statements remain accessible and can resurface at any moment.

Ultimately, the Bwala–Hasan interview serves as a reminder of an enduring reality in public life: political narratives are constantly subject to scrutiny. In the digital age, where every speech, interview or social media post becomes part of a permanent archive, consistency and preparation are essential tools for anyone representing government policy.

Whether one views the exchange as a difficult interview, a tactical misstep, or simply the normal workings of adversarial journalism, it reinforces the importance of accountability in democratic discourse. When political actors face rigorous questioning, the process may be uncomfortable, but it remains central to the role that journalism plays in holding power to account.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu is a journalist and syndicate writer based in Abuja.

By Ahmed Musa Husaini

I’m genuinely fascinated by the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Center in Kano, not just because of how well-equipped it is, but also because of the quality and relevance of the courses it offers.

That center alone has the potential to, in the medium term, send 2,000 skilled Kano artisans to the European market every year. If this was the only thing Aliko Dangote ever did for Kano, I’d say he has paid his dues.

Jobs like electricians, welders, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, scaffolders, excavator operators, bricklayers, fitters, solar installers, HVAC technicians, and instrumentation mechanics are in very high demand across Europe. And this isn’t a temporary trend – it’s structural – driven by aging populations and declining birth rates. That means the demand for these skilled workers is here to stay.

Currently, Europe faces an estimated shortage of about 5 million skilled artisans, with an additional 400,000 replacement jobs opening up every year due to retirements. In the UK alone, 10,500 new electricians are needed annually just to maintain the current workforce, yet only about 7,500 apprentices are produced, leaving a huge gap.

Countries like Germany and the Netherlands offer expedited visa pathways for skilled workers in these high-demand occupations, with competitive salaries often at par with mid-level professionals, in addition to strong labor protections and social security systems.

Many countries in the Global South are already positioning their citizens to take advantage of these opportunities. In 2024, Kenya signed a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership with Germany, creating legal pathways for skilled Kenyan workers. That same year, Senegal signed its skills partnership with Germany, and Tunisia followed with the Africa Skills for Germany (AS4G) program. Earlier this year, India signed a mobility pact aimed at aligning its national qualifications with European standards, enabling mutual recognition of apprenticeship certifications.

Back home, Nigeria is also part of the Global Skills Program in construction, designed to address labor shortages in Nigeria and Germany through a partnership involving the Nigeria College of Practical Skills Enugu, the International Center for Migration Policy and Development, and private firms from Germany and Austria.

Which brings me back to the Dangote Center.

As impressive as the facility is, I believe the biggest mistake Dangote made was handing over its management to the state government. Governments, especially in Nigeria, are notoriously poor at running institutions like this. At the outset, Dangote had pledged to hire expatriates to run the center and ensure its operations and curriculum remained globally competitive. It is obvious that the pledge never quite materialized.

Going forward, Dangote should take back management of the center through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, or hand it over to a competent private operator. It would be a tragedy of historic proportions if a facility with this much potential is allowed to waste.

Just imagine the impact: 2,000 highly skilled Kano-born artisans working in Europe, each earning  €35,000-€50,000 annually. The cumulative long-term impacts of the remittances alone would transform Kano’s economy, in addition to the new ventures, diaspora connections, and cultural exchanges that would follow. Now imagine scaling that number year after year for the next decade.

That’s not just a skills center, it has the potential to be Kano’s most important incubator of wealth if properly run.

How the healthcare reforms of Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi are restoring dignity to the aged while protecting the youngest generation.

By Lamara Garba Azare

In every society, the true character of leadership is revealed not in grand speeches or towering structures, but in how it treats those who can no longer compete in the rush of daily survival. In Jigawa State, a quiet but meaningful transformation is unfolding, one that places dignity, compassion, and human wellbeing at the centre of governance.

Through the J Basic Healthcare Services for Vulnerable Citizens, the administration of Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi has woven a protective safety net around those who often struggle in silence. At the heart of the programme are elderly citizens aged sixty five years and above, men and women whose lives of labour and sacrifice helped build the very communities they now inhabit.

For many elderly citizens, the passage of time often brings not only wisdom but also frailty. The body grows tired, the bones lose their strength, and the cost of maintaining good health begins to rise beyond what many can afford. Years spent cultivating farms, trading in markets, and serving society sometimes end with fragile health and limited financial resources. Yet these are the same men and women who nurtured families, preserved traditions, and sustained the social fabric of their communities.

By guaranteeing free access to healthcare for them, Jigawa State is restoring dignity to ageing. It sends a powerful message that the twilight years of life should not be overshadowed by fear of hospital bills or untreated illness. Instead, they should live with the comforting knowledge that society remembers their contributions and values their presence.

The scale of the initiative reflects both ambition and fairness. A total of 143500 beneficiaries have been enrolled across the state, drawn from all 287 political wards. Each ward accommodates 500 individuals within the programme, ensuring that the benefits reach every corner of the state. Among these beneficiaries are elderly citizens who now have guaranteed access to treatment in primary and secondary healthcare facilities without the burden of financial strain.

This policy goes far beyond the provision of medical services. It represents a redefinition of the relationship between government and the governed. A society that cares for its elderly is one that understands continuity. Elders are not merely older citizens; they are custodians of memory, guardians of tradition, and living bridges between the past and the future. Protecting their wellbeing strengthens the moral foundation upon which communities stand.

Governor Umar Namadi has consistently emphasized that the programme is not an act of charity but a duty of leadership. When elderly citizens receive the healthcare they deserve, families become more stable and communities become stronger. Healthy grandparents remain sources of wisdom and emotional support within households, guiding younger generations with the lessons of experience.

The programme also extends its protective embrace to another vulnerable group, children under the age of five. This thoughtful balance between caring for the oldest and protecting the youngest reflects a deep understanding of social development. Early childhood is a delicate stage of life when illness can shape the course of a child’s future. Access to free healthcare during these formative years can mean the difference between fragile beginnings and healthy growth.

By safeguarding children at the dawn of life while protecting the elderly in their later years, Jigawa State is nurturing the full circle of human existence. It is a reminder that development is not merely about roads and buildings but about the health and wellbeing of people across generations.

The J Basic Healthcare programme was carefully designed to ensure transparency and inclusiveness. Community leaders, civil society organisations, and healthcare workers played key roles in identifying beneficiaries. This grassroots approach not only ensures fairness but also strengthens public confidence in the programme’s implementation.

Beyond this initiative, the state government continues to invest in broader health sector reforms. Primary healthcare centres are being revitalised across communities, new general hospitals are under construction, and specialised services such as free dialysis treatment for renal patients are being provided. Together, these efforts form a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving public health and expanding access to quality medical services.

At a time when rising healthcare costs continue to push many families into poverty, the Jigawa initiative offers a refreshing example of what compassionate governance can achieve. It demonstrates that public policy, when guided by empathy and foresight, can shield vulnerable citizens from hardship while strengthening social stability.

The true impact of the programme will not only appear in official statistics. It will be seen in the elderly farmer who can now manage his blood pressure without worrying about medical bills. It will be felt by the grandmother who visits a clinic without depending entirely on her children for financial assistance. It will be reflected in the laughter of a child whose illness is treated early enough to ensure a healthy future.

These quiet transformations are the building blocks of a healthier society. When the elderly are cared for and children are protected, communities become more resilient and families become more secure. Healthy citizens contribute more productively to society, and productive societies build stronger economies.

Governor Umar Namadi’s approach therefore carries a deeper philosophical meaning. It reminds us that genuine progress is not measured solely by economic statistics or physical infrastructure but by the quality of life enjoyed by ordinary citizens. It shows that leadership guided by compassion can shape policies that preserve dignity while creating opportunity.

In the final analysis, the strength of a society is not measured by the wealth it accumulates but by the care it extends to those who once carried its burdens and those who will inherit its future. By protecting the elderly and nurturing young children, Jigawa State is quietly planting the seeds of a healthier and more humane tomorrow.

Under the watch of a caring leader like Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, governance takes on a deeper meaning. It becomes not merely the exercise of authority but the practice of service. And when leadership chooses compassion over indifference, it leaves behind something far greater than policy. It leaves behind hope, dignity, and a legacy that generations will remember.

Lamara Garba Azare, a veteran journalist, writes from Kano.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

Nigeria’s economic crisis is often discussed in technical language. We talk about inflation rates, exchange rates, GDP growth, fiscal deficits, and monetary tightening. Experts debate policy direction, subsidy removal, and currency reforms. Yet beneath all these discussions lies a deeper truth that we are reluctant to confront: Nigeria’s economic crisis is, at its core, a moral crisis.

In Adam Smith and Islam, Waseem Naser reminds us that economics was never meant to be detached from ethics. Adam Smith, widely regarded as the father of modern economics, was first a moral philosopher. Before writing The Wealth of Nations, he wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments, where he emphasised sympathy, justice, and moral restraint. Markets, in his view, could not function in isolation from moral responsibility.

Islamic economic thought shares this foundation. Trade is encouraged, wealth is permitted, and enterprise is respected. But all of these operate within firm moral boundaries. Justice is non-negotiable. Exploitation is forbidden. Wealth carries responsibility. Accountability is certain.

When we examine Nigeria’s current situation through this lens, the picture becomes clearer.

Inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. The naira struggles for stability. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. The cost of food and transportation has risen beyond the reach of many families. These are economic realities. But they are also symptoms of deeper institutional and moral weaknesses.

An economy cannot thrive where corruption undermines trust. Adam Smith insisted that justice is the main pillar that upholds society. Once justice collapses, society itself begins to crack. In Nigeria, public funds are routinely mismanaged, contracts are inflated, and accountability mechanisms are weak. This is not merely inefficiency. It is moral decay.

Islamic principles reinforce this argument. Leadership is considered a trust. Public office is an amanah, not a private investment opportunity. When leadership becomes a means of personal enrichment, the moral foundation of governance collapses. What follows is predictable: inequality widens, poverty deepens, and citizens lose faith in the system.

The recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate adjustments, may have theoretical justification. Many economists argue they were long overdue. However, reform without structured social protection reflects a failure of moral sensitivity. When policies disproportionately burden the poor while elites remain insulated, justice is compromised.

Adam Smith did not promote greed. He believed self-interest operates within moral boundaries shaped by social conscience. Islam teaches a similar balance. Wealth creation is legitimate, but not at the expense of human dignity. In Nigeria, however, profit often overrides public welfare.

Consider the widening gap between political elites and ordinary citizens. Luxury convoys move through streets where citizens struggle to afford basic commodities. Public spending priorities often appear disconnected from public suffering. This visible inequality damages more than economic stability. It damages national unity.

Islamic economic thought provides mechanisms for social balance, such as zakat and structured redistribution. These are not acts of charity alone. They are instruments of justice. In Nigeria, social intervention programs frequently suffer from poor targeting, lack of transparency, and political manipulation. The result is minimal impact and widespread distrust.

Nigeria does not lack natural resources. It does not lack human capital. What it lacks is consistent ethical leadership and institutional discipline. An economy built on fragile moral foundations cannot stand firm.

The lesson from both Adam Smith’s moral philosophy and Islamic economic principles is straightforward. Markets require trust. Trust requires justice. Justice requires accountability. Without these elements, reforms remain cosmetic.

If Nigeria is to move forward, economic reconstruction must be accompanied by moral reconstruction. Transparency must replace opacity. Accountability must replace impunity. Public service must replace personal gain.

Economic indicators may improve temporarily, but without ethical grounding, instability will return. Sustainable growth demands more than sound monetary policy. It demands character in leadership and integrity in institutions.

Nigeria’s future will not be secured by technical adjustments alone. It will be secured when justice becomes the true foundation of governance.

Until then, our economic crisis will remain what it has always been: a reflection of a deeper moral failure.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe. He can be reached via: umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Ahmad Zubair Chedi, PhD

It is with deep sorrow yet immense gratitude that I pay tribute to my late lecturer, mentor, and Academic guide, Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago, whose remarkable contributions have greatly shaped my academic and professional journey.

I had the rare privilege of being taught by Prof. Dandago at both my undergraduate and postgraduate levels, where he imparted to me invaluable knowledge and Academic discipline.

During my studies, he taught me several key courses that formed the foundation of my understanding of the accounting profession, including Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Advanced Financial Accounting, Auditing and Investigation, Public Finance, Accounting Theory, and Seminar in Accounting. Through these courses, he not only delivered knowledge but also instilled analytical thinking, research curiosity, and professional integrity.

Prof. Dandago’s mentorship went far beyond the classroom. He played a pivotal role in my Academic development at critical stages of my postgraduate journey. Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago was instrumental in facilitating my admission to both the MSc and PhD programmes, opening doors that enabled me to advance in my academic pursuits. His support and mentorship were key pillars in my Academic progress.

He served as the Panel Chairman during my MSc Accounting Internal Defence, where his constructive insights and scholarly guidance strengthened my research work. Furthermore, he was my PhD. Internal Supervisor, guiding me with patience, wisdom, and encouragement throughout the demanding process of Doctoral research.

One of the most defining moments of my Academic career came when he encouraged me to write my first journal article. His belief in my potential motivated me to take the bold step into Academic publishing. Not only did he inspire me to write, but he also supported and guided me in presenting my research paper at an International Conference, an experience that significantly broadened my Academic exposure and confidence.

Prof. Dandago was more than a lecturer; he was a mentor who nurtured scholars, a teacher who inspired excellence, and a leader who dedicated his life to advancing knowledge and the success of his students. His influence on my Academic journey is profound and will remain with me forever.

Though he has departed from this world, the knowledge he shared, the guidance he gave, and the inspiration he instilled will continue to live on in the lives of those he mentored. His legacy is written not only in books and research but also in the many scholars he helped shape.

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his lifelong dedication to knowledge and mentorship, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. Ameen.

Rest in peace, Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago. Your impact will never be forgotten.

By Tijjani Ahmad, PhD 

In Northern Nigeria’s academic landscape, few names resonate as profoundly as Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago’s. For those who pursued accounting and related disciplines from the mid-1990s onward, his name was not just familiar; it was synonymous with excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment. 

A household figure whose books lined our shelves and whose insights shaped our minds, Prof. Dandago lived a life dedicated to paying his dues in every sphere he touched: academically, professionally, administratively, socially, and spiritually. 

Prof. Dandago’s academic journey spanned an impressive 36 years (since 1990), with 19 of those as a full professor, during which he poured his heart into teaching, supervision, and research. His classrooms were not mere lecture halls but crucibles of intellectual growth, where students emerged transformed. He authored numerous papers and books that became foundational texts, demystifying complex financial concepts and inspiring generations of accountants, managers, and scholars. 

At Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and beyond, his supervision of theses and dissertations was legendary, rigorous yet nurturing, always pushing mentees to reach their highest potential. Even in his final days, his contributions to knowledge remained undiminished, a reminder that true scholars never truly retire.

Professionally, Prof. Dandago’s influence extended far beyond academia. He was a pillar in Nigeria’s accounting bodies, serving with distinction at both national and district levels in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). His expertise shaped policies, standards, and practices, ensuring ethical integrity in a field often tested by challenges. 

Administratively, he held pivotal roles, including as Commissioner of Finance in Kano State and as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, where his decisions were marked by fairness, precision, and a deep sense of public duty. These positions were not stepping stones for personal gain but platforms for service, where he navigated fiscal complexities with the wisdom of a sage.

Yet, Prof. Dandago’s greatness was not confined to boardrooms or lecture podiums. Socially, he was a force for good, deeply invested in community service and mentorship. He guided countless young professionals, offering counsel that extended beyond careers into life itself. 

His actions spoke volumes – quiet acts of kindness, support for the underprivileged, and a commitment to uplifting Northern Nigeria’s youth. Spiritually, he lived as a devout Muslim, his faith evident in his humility, generosity, and moral compass. He was a man who walked his talk, drawing from Islamic principles to foster harmony and ethical living in all he did.

My own path with Prof. Dandago began indirectly, through whispers of his reputation. As a student at ABU, I first encountered his name in the books that formed the backbone of our curriculum and in the glowing accounts from our seniors at BUK, who spoke of him with reverence. Little did I know our worlds would intersect so meaningfully. 

Our first direct meeting came in 2011 during my MBA program, when he was assigned to teach Financial and Management Accounting alongside the late Prof. Mohammed Liman, another erudite scholar we lost just last August. Their tandem was a masterclass in itself, blending rigour with inspiration.

Two years later, in 2013, fate brought us together again at Universiti Utara Malaysia, where his presence felt like a continuation of that earlier guidance. From that point onward, Prof. Dandago became more than a teacher; he was a constant in my journey, following my progress with genuine interest. 

Our paths crossed repeatedly—in projects, fora, committees—each encounter enriching me with wisdom. Whether through his direct words, sharp and insightful, or through the subtle power of his example, no one left his company unchanged. He was the true definition of a professor: not just a dispenser of facts, but a cultivator of minds and spirits.

Prof. Dandago’s life was a symphony of service, where every note contributed to a greater harmony. In a world often driven by self-interest, he stood as a paragon of selflessness, reminding us that true success lies in what we give, not what we gain. 

As we gather to honour his memory, his burial today echoes the profound impact he had, crowds drawn not by obligation, but by love and respect for a life well-lived.

May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal peace, forgive his shortcomings, and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus, the highest paradise. 

Adieu Prof.! Sai mun zo.

In the Northern Nigeria’s academic landscape, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago. For those who pursued accounting and related disciplines from the mid-1990s onward, his name was not just familiar, it was synonymous with excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment. A household figure whose books lined our shelves and whose insights shaped our minds, Prof. Dandago lived a life dedicated to paying his dues in every sphere he touched: academically, professionally, administratively, socially, and spiritually.

Prof. Dandago’s academic journey spanned an impressive 36 years (since 1990), with 19 of those as a full professor, during which he poured his heart into teaching, supervision, and research. His classrooms were not mere lecture halls but crucibles of intellectual growth, where students emerged transformed. He authored numerous papers and books that became foundational texts, demystifying complex financial concepts and inspiring generations of accountants, managers, and scholars. At Bayero University Kano (BUK) and beyond, his supervision of theses and dissertations was legendary, rigorous yet nurturing, always pushing mentees to reach their highest potential. Even in his final days, his contributions to knowledge remained undiminished, a reminder that true scholars never truly retire.

Professionally, Prof. Dandago’s influence extended far beyond academia. He was a pillar in Nigeria’s accounting bodies, serving with distinction at both national and district levels in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). His expertise shaped policies, standards, and practices, ensuring ethical integrity in a field often tested by challenges. Administratively, he held pivotal roles, including as Commissioner of Finance in Kano State and as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, where his decisions were marked by fairness, precision, and a deep sense of public duty. These positions were not stepping stones for personal gain but platforms for service, where he navigated fiscal complexities with the wisdom of a sage.

Yet, Prof. Dandago’s greatness was not confined to boardrooms or lecture podiums. Socially, he was a force for good, deeply invested in community service and mentorship. He guided countless young professionals, offering counsel that extended beyond careers into life itself. His actions spoke volumes – quiet acts of kindness, support for the underprivileged, and a commitment to uplifting Northern Nigeria’s youth. Spiritually, he lived as a devout Muslim, his faith evident in his humility, generosity, and moral compass. He was a man who walked his talk, drawing from Islamic principles to foster harmony and ethical living in all he did.

My own path with Prof. Dandago began indirectly, through whispers of his reputation. As a student at ABU, I first encountered his name in the books that formed the backbone of our curriculum and in the glowing accounts from our seniors at BUK, who spoke of him with reverence. Little did I know our worlds would intersect so meaningfully. Our first direct meeting came in 2011 during my MBA program, when he was assigned to teach Financial and Management Accounting alongside the late Prof. Mohammed Liman, another erudite scholar we lost just last August. Their tandem was a masterclass in itself, blending rigor with inspiration.

Two years later, in 2013, fate brought us together again at Universiti Utara Malaysia, where his presence felt like a continuation of that earlier guidance. From that point onward, Prof. Dandago became more than a teacher; he was a constant in my journey, following my progress with genuine interest. Our paths crossed repeatedly—in projects, fora, committees—each encounter enriching me with wisdom. Whether through his direct words, sharp and insightful, or through the subtle power of his example, no one left his company unchanged. He was the true definition of a professor: not just a dispenser of facts, but a cultivator of minds and spirits.

Prof. Dandago’s life was a symphony of service, where every note contributed to a greater harmony. In a world often driven by self-interest, he stood as a paragon of selflessness, reminding us that true success lies in what we give, not what we gain. As we gather to honor his memory, his burial today echoes the profound impact he had, crowds drawn not by obligation, but by love and respect for a life well-lived.

May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal peace, forgive his shortcomings, and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus, the highest paradise.

Adue Prof.! Sai mun zo.

By Nasiru Ibrahim 

Limited information in the market leads to inefficiency and misallocation of resources. A low-quality product or service can command a higher price, while high-skilled labour may receive lower wages. A seller with a high-quality product or service may incur losses because buyers cannot easily verify quality and are unwilling to pay a premium, fearing they may be overpaying for a low-quality alternative.

For example, a faulty car may sell at a high price because buyers lack technical knowledge, rely on appearances, brand reputation, or sellers’ claims, and face high inspection costs. A firm that chooses to be honest may lose by earning a lower profit margin because dishonest competitors exaggerate quality, cut corners, or hide defects while charging similar prices.

A quack or less-skilled consultant with fewer credentials and a weak track record may secure contracts faster due to information gaps, strong social networks, aggressive self-marketing, and clients’ inability to assess true competence before hiring.

In many markets, buyers seek to identify quality products or services by looking for higher prices, good public relations, branding, and heavy advertising. Poor-quality products and inefficient firms can imitate these signals, so both high- and low-quality products are often sold at roughly the same price. Under rational expectations, sellers understand that buyers believe higher prices signal higher quality. Buyers, lacking better information, rely on price as a shortcut, and low-quality sellers exploit this belief, leading to market failure similar to Akerlof’s Market for Lemons.

Demand for Experts, Agents, and Intermediaries

Information asymmetry increases the demand for experts, agents, consultants, brokers, and intermediaries who can distinguish good quality from bad. These agents help consumers get better deals and higher-quality products or services.

While this creates jobs, it does not necessarily solve consumer exploitation. Agents may collude with sellers, prioritise commissions over client welfare, exploit client ignorance, or add extra layers of cost without improving quality.

For example, if tax policy were simple and clearly understood, few people would need tax consultants. Complex systems create jobs for consultants and financial literacy experts. While this raises incomes and GDP, it can also raise prices because the cost of intermediaries is embedded in goods and services, contributing to inflation.

Efficiency vs Employment Trade-Off

Reducing information asymmetry improves efficiency but can increase unemployment in the short run. Many jobs—brokers, consultants, agents, and middlemen—exist mainly because consumers lack information. When governments improve transparency through clear regulations, digital platforms, and public data, fewer intermediaries are needed. As a result, demand for these expert roles declines, leading to job losses.

This creates a policy trade-off: greater transparency improves efficiency but reduces employment in information-based intermediary jobs. To manage this, governments should invest in retraining and help displaced workers move into sectors where skills add real value rather than exploiting information gaps.

Moral Hazard—Buyers Can Also Cheat

Moral hazard occurs after a transaction, when one party changes behaviour because costs are partly borne by the other party. Buyers are not always passive; they may also cheat when incentives allow.

Examples include tenants damaging rented property because repair costs are borne by landlords, insured individuals exaggerating losses, clients hiding information or misusing professional advice, and borrowers diverting loans to unintended uses.

Buyer-side moral hazard worsens inefficiency. Sellers respond by raising prices, tightening contracts, reducing quality, or exiting the market. Honest buyers then face higher costs and fewer choices, while resources are allocated to monitoring and enforcement rather than to productive activity. Information asymmetry is therefore two-sided, and policies must address both adverse selection and moral hazard through better contracts, monitoring, and enforcement.

Guarantees, Warranties, and Mixed-Quality Equilibrium

Guarantees and warranties are often introduced to signal product quality. High-quality sellers are willing to offer guarantees because defects are less likely, which should push low-quality products out of the market.

However, guarantees also create buyer-side moral hazard. Buyers may reduce care, overuse, or deliberately damage products because repairs or replacements are covered. This increases warranty costs for all producers.

High-quality firms may respond by raising prices, limiting coverage, or reducing quality investment. Low-quality firms can mimic guarantees by pricing in expected abuse. As a result, good and bad products coexist in equilibrium, despite the presence of guarantees. Guarantees improve trust but do not fully resolve market failure. Moral hazard shifts costs rather than eliminating inefficiency.

Digital Platforms, Formalization, and Consumer Protection

E-commerce and digital marketing platforms reduce information asymmetry by increasing price transparency, reviews, ratings, comparisons, and direct access to sellers. These tools reduce reliance on intermediaries and help consumers verify quality.

In cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, consumers can reduce exploitation by:

Asking for the previous selling price and comparing across sellers.

Signaling willingness to switch if the price is unfair.

Checking online prices, reviews, or multiple shops to reduce information asymmetry!

Government can also reduce information asymmetry by formalizing markets, which improves record-keeping, transparency, standardization, and contract enforcement. Clear, fair, and incentive-based tax systems encourage voluntary compliance, provide access to credit, legal protection, and government contracts.

The government may invest ₦100 million in upgrading informal markets in Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt and taxing ₦20 million annually per market allows the government to recover costs within five years while boosting GDP and creating jobs.

Without incentives, multiple overlapping taxes increase compliance costs and deepen informality. Corruption, waste, and misuse of funds reduce citizen trust. Transparent, fair, and accountable government policies promote efficiency, formalisation, and market growth, while distrust, overconfidence, and policy failures harm the economy.

Ibrahim is a graduate of Economics from Bayero University, Kano and can be reached via nasirfirji4@gmail.com.

By Ahmed Musa Husaini

In June last year, during the 12-Day war, I described the situation as the end of peace in the middle-east, arguing that a broader conflict between Iran and its proxies on one hand, and US-Israel and their gulf lackeys on the other, is inevitable.

Israel exists on three myths: that it is the only democracy in the middle-east, that it is a strategic asset for the US and the Christian West’s bulwark against an irrational Islamic and Arab enemy, thus positioning itself as US guarantor of American energy security, protector of western maritime lines, and other US/western interests without the need for permanent American boots on ground.

These myths lack any basis in facts or rational geopolitics. Israel is an apartheid state, a security liability for the US, and the biggest source of instability in the region that continues to occupy territories of it’s neighbors and violates more international laws and UN conventions than any country on earth.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel has fought multiple wars with its Arab neighbors. In the early years post-1948, Egypt emerged as its most sophisticated threat due to its size as the most populous Arab nation and its border with Israel, making it impossible to be decisively defeated by Israel in any conventional way.

Aware of such threats, Israel, worked through the US, to sign a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979, in what Israeli leaders and analysts referred to as the “most important strategic shift in Israel’s history,” one that reshaped Israel’s strategic environment in profound ways. It effectively neutralized the most powerful Arab military power, decapitated the Egypt-led Arab military coalition which had crossed Suez Canal in 1973 and took Israel by surprise. With Egypt now removed from the strategic equation, Israel could focus its resources elsewhere.

That’s why Menachim Begin was able to make far-reaching concessions to the Egyptians in 1979: returning the Sinai peninsula along with dismantling over 170 military Israeli installations, as well as the handing over of the Alma oil fields which at the time supplied half of Israel’s energy needs with estimated $100 billion in untapped reserves. To this day, the US pays Egypt $1.3-1.5 billion annually to maintain that agreement.

With the removal of the Egyptian threat, the years from 1979 to the end of the cold war marked a period of Israeli undisputed military superiority. It was Israel’s golden age, a period of unparalleled conventional military dominance. Nowhere was that superiority displayed than in its invasion of Lebanon in 1982 (and its defeat of Syrian forces) in order to dislodge the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Ironically, it was Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and its prolonged occupation of southern Lebanon that gave birth to Hezbollah. Hurting from the suffering and humiliation of the Shiite constituents in Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah emerged (under IRGC’s tutelage) with the explicit goal of ending Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, a feat it achieved in 2000 when Israel was finally chased out of Southern Lebanon.

In the same vein, the eruption of the First Intifada due to years of Israeli occupation and subjugation of Palestinian Arab people led to the birth of Hamas as a military threat. Prior to that, Hamas was a local charity organization with a vast network of schools, clinics, mosques, and youth clubs, providing crucial social services and embedding itself in the daily life of Palestinian communities. Immediately after the outbreak of the first intifada, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and other leaders announced the formation of Harakatul Muqawama Al-Islamiya – the Islamic Resistance Movement, known by its acronym as Hamas.

With the end of cold war, Israeli focus shifted to Iraq. Israeli illusion of invincibility was shattered during the Gulf War, with Saddam’s Iraq firing 39 scud missiles at Israeli population centers. For the first time, the Israeli home front was attacked by a different type of weapon that renders its air superiority ineffective, an experience that gave birth to Israel’s famed missile defense technology.

With the elimination of Saddam in 2003 in another costly US war at the behest of Israel, Israel’s new focus shifted to Iran. Iran represented a different kind of threat. For a start, Iran is a non-Arab, Shiite power, with a nuclear and missile delivery technology, and a network of proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen; posing a challenge to Israel’s military dominance in ways its strategists could not have imagined in the heady days after its peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 or the elimination of Saddam in 2003.

In the build up to the Israeli-instigated US invasion of Iraq, Netanyahu even told the US Congress that removing Saddam Hussein from power would usher in a period of peace and stability in the Middle-east. Immediately Saddam was removed, the incitement shifted to Iran, and if Iran were to be removed today, Israel would create a new enemy to continue justifying its belligerence.

The fact is, Israel is created from chaos, from tragedy: the dispossession of millions of indigenous Palestinian Arab populations. The existence and survival of Israel as an occupier, expansionist, racial and ethnic state is predicated on endless chaos and conflict. Even if Hezbollah, Hamas or Iran do not exist, Israel would create one.

The current war with Iran is nothing but a continuation of Israeli impunity under American patronage, in order to guarantee Israel’s qualitative military edge, preserve America’s diplomatic monopoly, and continue to create conditions for continuous US presence in the middle-east.

That’s why Trump’s own objectives for the war keep changing, from regime change and liberating Iranians, to destroying Iranian defense capabilities and industrial infrastructure. Just days ago, the Iranians have agreed to most of Trump’s demands about halting uranium enrichment and the commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, but negotiations for the US and Israel were just a smokescreen to buy time and reposition forces in the region.

I am under no illusion about American military superiority. If Iran were to fall today, if the Iranian threat were to be eliminated today, Israel would create another threat. Already, Israeli leaders are talking about Muslim nuclear-armed Pakistan and Muslim NATO member Turkey. For Israel to exist, a new enemy must be created after the elimination of the last one, a forever war is needed.

This state of forever war is important for Israel’s domestic population. The Israelis disagree on everything except on the treatment and subjugation of their Arab neighbors. Creating an external enemy serves as a unifying force against an existential threat, thus suppressing internal political and ethnic divisions, distract from their leaders (Netanyahu’s) domestic and personal failures, and delegitimize political dissent as betrayal.

It also has an international dimension. First on the basis of strategic interests by projecting Israel as America’s strategic asset against a common Muslim Arab enemy while conveniently ignoring Palestinian Christian suffering. And most importantly, from an apocalyptic dispensationalist theological belief that the triumph of Israel and the ensuing conflict are prophesied conditions for the “End Times,” culminating in the Battle of Armageddon and guaranteeing the return of Christ. To these groups, which form a core part of the Republican Party’s base and hold immense political influence, unconditional support for Israel is a religious duty and the conflict must continue and even intensify to fulfil a biblical prophecy.

These three elements: the need for an enemy, the value as an American proxy, and the political weaponization of apocalyptic theology make Israel’s policy of forever war not just a failure of American policy in the middle-east, it is the American policy itself. Israel will be locked into a cycle of creating and perpetuating enemies even if all its neighbors surrender.

But nature abhors vacuum. The resistance dynamic will always run its course. Actions will generate reactions. Israeli occupation and subjugation will create collective suffering, and collective suffering creates anger, desperation and desire for revenge, leading to radicalization and the emergence of violent resistance groups whose promise of resistance and dignity will always find fertile ground for recruitment and popular support. And the cycle repeats.

This is exactly what is happening in the current war on Iran. Iran knows quite well it cannot stand the combined military might of the US and Israel, but it chose to fight with dignity rather than face humiliation and surrender. This heroic and noble stand alone, whose story will be told across generations, will galvanize resistance movement across every inch of the middle-east, whose seeds will germinate in the next 20-30 years to trigger seismic geopolitical events across the region as was seen in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and recently the Arab Spring.

Victory for Iran is not in militarily defeating the US, it is in denying the US and Israel their objectives of regime change and submissive leadership. It is the same victory the Taliban recorded in Afghanistan and the resistance bloc recorded in Iraq after over 20 years of US aggression and occupation.

The solution to all these lies first in saving Israel from itself, from its perpetual sense of forever war and tendency to self-destruct. Israel must be forced to exist as a single biracial state with equal rights for Palestinians and Jews, just as was the case with Apartheid South Africa. And secondly, America’s diplomatic monopoly must end. Asking America to broker a peace involving Israel is akin to asking Iran to broker peace involving Hezbollah. It is against the basic law of natural justice and fairness to ask the state that sponsors, arms, shields, and protects one side to serve as impartial broker.

To Achieve that, the Arabs, Israel’s immediate environment and victims, must do their part. These countries, are run by regimes who continue to ignore the suffering of their people in order to appease their American patrons. The world (Russia or China or any rival power) will not do the job for them. Neither Israel nor their American patrons will change their behavior without incentives. More Abraham Accords can be signed, and more middle-eastern governments can be co-opted into the illusion of American patronage and Israeli security, but as long as the Arab street reeks of domestic discontents and regional outcry against Israeli aggression, as long as the Palestinian question remains unsolved and Israeli belligerence remains untamed, a forever war is in our hands.