Bayero University Kano

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a generous move to support education, AA Rano, on behalf of himself, his family, and the AA Rano Group of Companies, has announced a donation of ₦150 million to Bayero University Kano (BUK).

“We are confident that the university will utilize these resources to enhance its academic performance,” AA Rano stated.

The donation comes just days after BUK conferred an honorary doctorate on AA Rano in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to the state and the country.

University officials have expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that it will significantly impact academic and infrastructural development at the institution.

By Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh 

Students frequently justify their disappointing academic performance by claiming they intended to pursue a different course but ended up in another or that they dislike their current course. Kudirat Oyiza Abdulkareem has disproved this narrative by demonstrating dedication and a strong desire for success.

When Kudirat Oyiza arrived at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), in 2018, she was filled with uncertainty. She had applied for Medicine, but fate had other plans. She was offered Forestry and Wildlife Management, a course she had never even heard of. At that time, the only image that came to her was of lions.

Her mother was the only one who seemed familiar with the course, as her late father had been a forest officer. However, she was too young to remember what he did. Confused and unsure, she considered rewriting JAMB, but her sister advised her to give the course a chance.

Turning Uncertainty into Excellence

The first semester was tough. The weight of studying a course she had not chosen left her unmotivated. Yet, despite her doubts, she ended the semester with the highest GPA in her faculty with 4.72. Instead of celebrating, her sister reminded her that she could do even better. A friend encouraged her to set a higher standard for herself, grading her performance as though she were still in her secondary school, NIOMCO Staff Secondary School, where an “A” started at 80% instead of BUK’s 70%.

With this mindset shift, she achieved a perfect 5.0 GPA in her second semester at the 100 level.

Finding Purpose Beyond Grades

By the 200 level, she had started seeing Forestry and Wildlife Management beyond academics. She became curious about its real-world applications and how to use her knowledge to tackle climate change, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. This curiosity led her to connect with forestry students worldwide, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore the impact of her field.

Her passion for the environment extended beyond her studies. She traveled across the country, attending various developmental projects and workshops related to her course, visiting six states. She also volunteered with over 10 organisations, mostly remotely, using her skills to address pressing environmental issues.

In addition to her academic work, she co-founded the Forestry and Wildlife Student Association of Nigeria, BUK chapter, where she served as the financial secretary in her final year.

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Resilient

Her journey was not without challenges. Financial struggles loomed over her education, and there were times when different individuals paid her school fees. Even her faculty stepped in to support her. To ease the burden, she applied to teach during school breaks to earn money, an experience she cherished as it aligned with her passion for teaching.

Time Management: A Key to Success

Despite all her engagements and travels, Kudirat Oyiza remained focused on her academics. Her secret? Time management. She was conscious of how she spent her time, balancing her studies, social life, and work commitments.

“I know my brain doesn’t retain half-baked information,” she admits. 

As a slow learner, she needed to review material multiple times to grasp concepts fully. While others might read something once, she would read it three to four times until it stuck. She also knew that her brain wasn’t efficient at night, so she developed a unique scheduled time for mainly reading mornings. 

She always set targets for herself and monitored her time carefully to meet them. During exams, she allocated time based on the number of questions and avoided dwelling on a single one, no matter how confident she was. This strategic approach to time management became her trademark.

A Grand Finale: Graduating at the Top

Fast-forward to 2025, she graduated as the best student in her department, faculty, and the entire university, which speaks volumes about her determination and resilience.

Looking back, she sees her success as a reward for hard work, not just a gift. 

She remains grateful to God, her siblings, friends, mentors, and everyone who supported her through the highs and lows.

But this is just the beginning. She is eager for the next chapter, ready to take on new challenges with the same grit and passion that brought her this far.

She says, “Do the things others aren’t willing to do, and you will get the things others will never have.”

Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh, a Fellow PRNigeria, writes via abedohzahara@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Bayero University Kano (BUK) celebrated its 39th Convocation by conferring Emeritus Professorships on Professor Garba Dahuwa Azare, Professor Julius Afolabi Falola, and Professor Musa Borodo for their significant contributions to academia.

The ceremony featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Ahmad Sa’id. Before her appointment, Sa’id was also a member of the Bayero University, Kano, staff.

Tinubu congratulated the honourees and graduates, emphasised the importance of education in fostering national progress, and assured ongoing support for the education sector to boost global competitiveness.

BUK Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, praised the awardees as influential figures in shaping the nation and celebrated the graduation of 3,400 students, including 176 who achieved First Class Honours.

Pro-Chancellor Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna encouraged graduates to become ambassadors of the university, noting BUK’s recent ranking of 43rd among African universities. The conferral of Emeritus Professorships reaffirms BUK’s commitment to honouring excellence in education.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Bayero University, Kano, celebrated its 39th Convocation Ceremony, during which Kudirat Oyiza Abdulkarim from the Faculty of Agriculture was honoured as the Overall Best Graduating Student. 

With a remarkable Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92, Kudirat’s exemplary academic performance has made her a standout figure at the institution.

In her remarks, Kudirat shared insights into her journey, emphasising the dedication that fueled her success. “From my very first year, I was resolute in my goal to graduate with distinction. It was never an easy road, but I remained focused, dedicated, and consistent. Today, my dream has become a reality,” she stated.

Kudirat expressed heartfelt appreciation to Almighty Allah, her lecturers, and her parents, acknowledging their crucial support. “Their encouragement played a vital role in my success,” she added.

Looking ahead, Kudirat aspires to become a researcher, aiming to make significant contributions to agricultural development. She believes that Bayero University has been a life-changing institution for her and vows to represent it proudly.

Kudirat Abdulkarim inspires her peers, proving that excellence is always attainable with determination and hard work. As she embarks on her next chapter, her story serves as a motivational beacon for aspiring students everywhere.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Bayero University, Kano (BUK), holds its 39th convocation ceremony on Wednesday, February 12.

In a press briefing, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Abbas, announced that “4,402 graduands of different programs from their respective faculties” will receive their certificates.

He also stated that “another 4,367 graduands from seven faculties in which 176 first degrees, 275 PhDs, 2,590 Master’s Degrees and 535 Postgraduate Diplomas will be graduating.”

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NACENI, will deliver the convocation lecture on Friday, February 14.

The lecture, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Pathway to National Development,” will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Jeffrey Nnaji.

On the event’s final day, the university will confer Honorary Degrees on two distinguished Nigerians: Colonel Sani Bello, a former Military Governor of Kano State, and Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, popularly known as A.A. Rano.

Explaining the choice of honorees, Professor Abbas stated that “the first nominee is selected due to his vast contribution to education during his administration as Military Governor of Kano State, in which he established the prominent Kano Science Schools and he facilitated the varsity permanent site.”

Regarding Alhaji Rano, the Vice-Chancellor said, “the second nominee is being on the list by sponsoring students from Kibiya, Rano and Bunkure local governments, and he sustains in giving them 60 thousand Naira as upkeep from last session to date and his unwavering contributions to not only underprivileged of his community during Ramadan but to the state at large.”

The 39th convocation will also witness the awarding of Emeritus Professorship titles to three distinguished retired professors, including Professor Garba Dahuwa Azare, Professor Julius Afolabi Falola, and Professor Musa Muhammad Borodo.

Professor Abbas concluded that “the sum of not less than 100 million is budgeted for the whole convocation ceremonies.”

By Anas Abbas

The Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA) chapter at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), organised a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Ethical Journalism in a Polarized Society: Striking the Balance Between Truth and Responsibility.” 

The event, which took place on Saturday morning in the conference room of the University’s Faculty of Communication, attracted many students and faculty members.

The guest speaker, Mallam Aisar Salihu Musa, illuminated the critical aspects of journalism. He expressed deep concerns about the current state of journalism in Nigeria, stating, “The issue of objectivity in Nigerian journalism is a myth.” 

Malam Aisar highlighted that challenges such as editorial bias, advertorial influences, and media ownership significantly hinder the progress of journalism in the country. 

He further emphasised that journalism in Nigeria often resembles an act rather than a respected profession, especially when compared to fields like law.

Financial instability, he noted, further complicates matters, preventing journalists from adhering to ethical standards. 

To counter these challenges, Aisar urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, responsibility, and balance in their reporting. He specifically advised them to be sensitive when covering conflict and religious issues.

He also encouraged journalists to join professional bodies that offer training opportunities, which can enhance their skills and support ethical reporting in their daily work.

The lecture concluded with a call to action for aspiring journalists to uphold the integrity of their profession amidst the complexities of a polarised society.

By Aisar Fagge

Speaking during the 3rd International Conference organized by the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) with the theme “The Role of Moral Etiquettes of Islamic Civilisation in the Development of Human Communities: Assessment of Past and Present,” Dr Usman Muhammad Bugaje lamented why economic metrics always dominate the discussions on development. He cheerfully also complained, “This conference should have come earlier than now but it is never late.”

As the keynote speaker, Dr Bugaje mentioned three main focal points of the conference:

“First, the theme introduces a missing direction in the contemporary discussion of development. When you listen to the discussion on developments, it is usually the material aspect of development that occupies the space. Even the metrics for measuring development tends to focus on the material. They have not yet measured the Islamic definition of human development. This is the gap conferences like this should help to bridge.

“Secondly, this theme will raise consciousness and provoke a debate on the quality of morality. Everybody talks about morality. But what is the quality of that morality? There are a lot of debates and contentions on these issues.

“Thirdly, this theme underscores the significance of moral standard on human development. I hope the centre and director will try and find research grants locally for the students to study how moral consciousness has affected human development in Nigeria,” the speaker listed.

It is always difficult for Dr Bugaje to talk without critiquing the state of the nation and bad governance. Talking about morality and development in Nigeria, the speaker lamented how immoral politicians ruined Nigeria since 1999.

“What happened in the last 25 years in Nigeria concerning human development is a wreckage. Poverty has tripled, insecurity has escalated, infrastructures have broken down and decay, marriages and social norms have broken down, the fabric of the society is no longer what is used to be.

“Today, in our educational system, the moral consciousness is completely missing or absence. In those days, you got your degree in character and learning, but today, no character no leaning. In governance, this government has gotten more money than any government since the beginning of Nigeria, but what the Sardunas were able to achieve with very little money we now cannot do with 1000 x times the same amount of that money! So what has happened? All these are moral questions that raise consciousness,” he grieved.

The conference that was held at the Centre for Excellence, Bayero University, Kano from 3rd to 5th February, 2025 was honoured by distinguished politicians, esteemed academics, business people and many participants from different academic disciplines.

The Director of the centre, Associate Professor, Taufiq Abubakar Hussaini thanked the sponsors of the event especially Alhaji Aminu Dantata, A.Y Maikifi, Alhaji A.A Rano, Alhaji Hamza Abdullahi Umar Daura, A.Y.M Shafa and others.

By Anas Abbas

Faculty of Communication of Bayero University, Kano and the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters organized a two-day round table meeting on investigative and data-driven journalism challenges.

The roundtable, held on Monday, focused on challenges of investigative and data-driven journalism and was themed ” Round table meeting on issues and challenges of investigative and data-driven journalism in the broadcast sector in North West Nigeria.”

The event, organized in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Broadcasting, took place at the CBN Centre of Excellence at Bayero University, Kano.

Professor Umaru Pate, a communications expert and seasoned scholar, presented a paper titled “The Imperative of Investigative and Data-Driven Journalism in North West Nigeria.” 

As the keynote speaker, Pate thoroughly explained that “investigative journalism contributes to freedom of information.” 

Pate noted that some companies might pull their advertisements if the media content conflicts with their interests. 

He highlighted the pressing issue of inadequate funding for research within media organisations.

Pate noted that many outlets often overlook the necessity of investing in thorough research, emphasizing that producing quality news requires financial commitment. “To deliver high-quality journalism, organizations must be willing to allocate resources toward research,” he stated.

He addressed another significant challenge faced by investigative journalism, which is “the threats to journalists’ safety,” which underscores the need for greater support and protection for those committed to uncovering important stories.

Dear Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, 

Although I doubt you could access this letter, I consider it necessary after two failed attempts to obtain relevant information from the office of the registrar of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

After following this issue for over six months, expecting the school to do the needful, I am disappointed that this great institution continues to give the public room to question its integrity, especially when such involves deceiving a newly established institution by inflating figures and withholding surplus money belonging to students.

It has been alleged that the management of BUK inflated the figures of students’ school fees in the data shared with the National Education Loan Fund (NELFund). As a result, students applying for loans to pay their registration fees met higher amounts already pre-entered on their dashboards and submitted their applications since there was no option of altering the figures. Consequently, NELFund sent the pre-entered amounts to BUK to cover the students’ registration fees and expects each applicant to repay the same after graduation.

I know a student who needed N95,500 to pay his registration fees, but when he wanted to borrow from NELFund, he met N110,000 on his application dashboard. He submitted it like that, and his application was approved in June 2024. However, owing to pressure from BUK, he sought money and paid his registration fees, believing in the school to do the needful once it received money from NELFund.

Fast-forward to January 2025. The school refunded him N95,500 (the exact amount he paid as registration fees) without explaining the N14,500 surplus it received from NELFund. 

Another student who needed N101,500 was forced to borrow N105,000 from NELFund, with BUK keeping the extra N3,500. 

In addition to contacting these two students, I have read dozens of posts and comments by BUK students on social media (concerning this issue) between August 2024 and now, with no single student mentioning having information about their missing money. However, some students are afraid of victimisation, hence warning their mates to be careful with their expressions regarding the issue.

Sir, each of these poor students is expected to repay the exact amount BUK received on their behalf. As a consequence, it is absolutely wrong for the school management to keep the money.

I must mention that the BUK’s singular act of providing wrong data to NELFund could jeopardise the chances of a lot of other potential beneficiaries because the Fund could distrust other institutions henceforth.

I considered this letter necessary after taking some steps, notable of which are as follows:

On June 30, 2024, NELFund responded to my questions via X (formerly Twitter) as follows:

“All institutional fees on the portal were provided by the institution who (sic) themselves are autonomous under the law and not by NELFUND. Should you have any questions regarding your institution fees, kindly contact the competent authorities of your institution.

“According to the Establishment Act, NELFUND reserves the right to determine the interest payable on every loan. In this case, NELFUND have (sic) determined that the interest rate is zero.”

Also, on January 16, 2025, I emailed the registrar of BUK to seek clarification regarding the missing funds belonging to students. Fortunately, I received the following response about an hour later.

“Good morning Ishaka, 

Thank you for your email. I will review the issue you’ve raised and respond accordingly. 

Kind regards

Haruna Aliyu 

Registrar”

Nonetheless, after waiting for six days without receiving any feedback, I sent a reminder. However, at the time of writing this letter, I have still not received any relevant information.

An institution like BUK is supposed to be the epitome of accountability and transparency, so I humbly request that you consider doing the following as soon as possible.

Consider sending the surplus money to the rightful owners—the affected students. 

After that, explain the reasons for the wrong figures and the delay in disbursing the surplus to them.

Lastly, explain to NELFund why the school sent the wrong figures to represent the value of students’ school fees.

It is worth stressing that all of the above actions are necessary damage control strategies, so each should be carried out and openly communicated. In addition to helping BUK improve its public image, these strategies could help the authorities of the institution to avoid probable consequences of their unethical and illegal actions.

Yours sincerely,

Ishaka Mohammed

By Uzair Adam

The 2022 graduates of the Mass Communication Department, Bayero University Kano (BUK), have celebrated their former level coordinator, Dr. Ummi Muhammad Hassan, in recognition of her recent PhD achievement.

The event, held on Tuesday at BUK’s new site, was attended by family members, alumni, and lecturers from the Faculty of Communication and related departments.

It featured a cake-cutting ceremony, an award presentation to Dr. Ummi, and speeches from invited guests.

Dr. Ummi’s PhD research focuses on the Challenges and Perceptions of Muslim Hausa Female Rap Artists in Kano and Kaduna States.

Speaking at the event, the students said the celebration was a way to honor Dr. Ummi as their “academic mother” and acknowledge her dedication to their success.

“We wanted to express our gratitude to Dr. Ummi for all she did for us during our time at BUK,” said Umar Isa Dandago, one of the event organizers.

He added, “She treated us as family, and this celebration is our way of giving back.”

In her response, Dr. Ummi expressed heartfelt appreciation. “When one of my students, Uzair Adam, informed me about this, I was speechless.

“I consider my students as my second family, and seeing them organize this for me melts my heart,” she said.

The Head of the Mass Communication Department, Dr. Gambo Nababa, lauded the students for their thoughtfulness.

He also encouraged Dr. Ummi to continue her academic journey and expressed optimism about her attaining the rank of professor soon.

Dr. Ummi’s husband, Dr. Musa Labaran, who also serves as the department’s examination officer, shared his pride and gratitude.

He noted that the gesture reflected Dr. Ummi’s devotion to her students.

Other notable attendees included the Head of the Information and Media Studies Department, Dr. Nura Ibrahim, as well as Dr. Hadiza J. Ibrahim, Dr. Ibrahim Siraj, and Dr. Muhammad Danja.

They described Dr. Ummi as a remarkable academic who has left an indelible mark on her students.

The celebration underscored the enduring bond between Dr. Ummi and her students and highlighted her contributions as an educator and mentor.