Nigeria

By Yusufu Musa

During his inaugural address, President Bola Tinubu made what appeared to be a bold statement – ‘fuel subsidy is gone’- which I received, as many people who advocate for channelling public resources to nation building,  in an inexpressible ecstasy. Though discontinuing subsidy payments made the list of his campaign promises, like his close rivals, the duo of Peter Obi of the LP and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, the declaration came sooner than expected. 

After watching his debut speech as president, many people were unsure when the order would come into force. For instance, a news item made the rounds in the first quarter of this year, suggesting that the immediate past government had dropped its plans of removing the PMS subsidy. The then minister for finance, Zainab Ahmed, swiftly issued a release to discredit the story. She said the public misunderstood their stance.

According to her, the government only expanded the hitherto planned implementation of the subsidy removal team to allow for the participation of representatives of the incoming government. She insisted that the federal government made estimates for subsidy payments until June 30, and there would be no funds for that after this date. 

We gathered that Nigerians would continue buying fuel at the subsidised rate of N195 per litre. We misinterpreted it. A day later, the NNPCL raised its pump price to N550. But, had the company waited until July 1 to adjust, Nigerians would have spent long hours in petrol retail outlets. Marketers would have hoarded the fuel to create an artificial scarcity to ‘cash out’ after July 1.

It took Nigerians not long to feel the attendant effects of the policy. Transport fares immediately tripled, and prices of consumable goods have been on the increase. However, an average Nigerian is convinced that the action is necessary and is for our collective good. So, we are ready to make sacrifices for the nation. Two, a worker in Abuja who boards a cab to go to his workplace and visits his hometown only during festive thought that big men fuel their motorcades and the government only subsidises their ostentation.

From Jonathan to Buhari, corruption in the system is the loudest criticism against the subsidy. Critics of it argued, and still do that it benefits a handful of people, ‘the oil cabal’. For instance, Malam Isah Yuguda, a chieftain of the APC, disclosed that one of the cabal members approached President Buhari to say they were tired of making money [from subsidies]. Another reservation is that some marketers illegally export the product to our neighbours such as Niger, Cameroon and Benin, thus placing a heavier burden on our government to pay subsidies for what other countries enjoy. They told us that our daily consumption was not consummate with our needs. 

In 2012, Ngozi Iweala, the then coordinating minister of economy, was in Lagos to tell proponents of subsidies that the subsidy funds would reduce maternal deaths in the country and the infrastructural deficit. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi followed the same pattern of thought. Their articulate points could not help convince Nigerians that paying subsidies was evil.

President Buhari was the fiercest in putting forward arguments against subsidies. He is credited with a question he did not answer in his eight years as our president – ‘Who is subsidising who?’  One of those being subsidised was in his office, but he did not take the opportunity to ask him questions. Nonetheless, his administration undertook to let the subsidies go, but in phases. The plan was to go after the PMS subsidy in the final phase.

Governors, who budget billions of naira in the name of security votes whose details are never in the public space, were angry that Buhari was too slow in abolishing subsidies for the health of the country’s economy. 

With borrowing that became a ritual under the last government and the constant blame on the subsidy as the greatest impediment to our development as a nation, we were looking forward to departing from the tradition to set the economy on the path of prosperity.

Four months after making one sentence, which we believed ended the subsidy regime, several papers reported that the government paid about 162bn for subsidy in August.  Onlookers have a reason to ask whether this removal will answer its purpose. Despite the hardship in the country, this news is utterly bad for Nigerians.

If the system encouraged corruption in the past and the government did away with it, how does it intend to convince Nigerians that large-scale corruption would not continue now that the subsidy is back? What assurance would the Tinubu’s government give Nigerians that importing the product to other countries will no longer continue? 

Continuing to vote for such a big figure in enriching oil titans, it repeatedly pointed out they are the actual beneficiaries of subsidies, which means it has no satisfactory cause to starve the poor Nigerians any longer. The philosophy has been thrown out. The amount is not much different from what the previous governments were paying. It should unconditionally reverse the policy. 

Suffering is pronounced in towns and villages. Practical strategies to alleviate the hell are not forthcoming. The government, last month, considered distributing food items to the poor. It went as far as handing funds to state governors. That is not sustainable. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for one man to take more than a sack of grain home. This man has, say, five wards under his roof. There is another chapter of life after the palliative is gone. 

Yusufu Musa writes from Kaduna.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri ‘Fresh Air Metro Buses’ have commenced operation in the Jimeta-Yola metropolis, shuttling between Jimeta and Yola town, Jimeta Modern Market to Sangere. Modibbo Adamawa University to the Market, Sangere, Welcome to Yola City-Gate to the Market axis, etc. The government also said it planned to take more buses to other local government areas.

The metro buses significantly impact the citizens’ lives, as the fare fee is a mere 100 naira to any destination. Students, market women and men, farmers, and civil servants have expressed their joys and delight and excitement as one big issue in the common man’s difficulties—the high cost of transportation—has been solved.

Three cardinal things are the lubricants of a decent life: good healthcare, proper education, and easy transportation. Once a family had these things eased for them, all other things are now secondary. 

Politics apart, Gov. Fintiri has impacted healthcare by constructing new cottage hospitals and rehabilitating general hospitals. The payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees, rehabilitation of schools, and teacher welfare. And now, with the commencement of the metro bus service, which has transformed people’s lives not only through easing pressure on their pockets but also through the luxurious nature of the buses while being transported to their places of work, etc.

Recall the arrival in the state of the 58-seater luxurious ‘palliative buses’ was a big surprise to many people, including those in the opposition. Within less than a week of the government’s intention to procure the buses, the buses arrived in the state capital. This is commendable. This writer also says the metro buses are part of the ‘systemic approach’ of the Fintiri government in tackling the economic hardship associated with the removal of the subsidy on petrol, commonly called PMS, by the federal government.

Apart from providing cheap, affordable, and comfortable transportation to the masses, the purchase of the buses by the Fintiri government from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) is a true reflection of the government’s desire to support the local industries, whose multiplier effect can even reach the Adamawa people since the buses are being operated through public-private partnerships (PPP) to create jobs, maintain the buses, and create a friendly business environment to attract more investment.

The Fresh Air Metro buses will assist workers in their daily transport to their offices, pupils to their schools, and the movement of people from one point to another, including the ease of doing business in the state. Furthermore, the buses will greatly eliminate the hustling of using KEKE NAPEP tricycles.

One of the most important aspects of it is that the buses will greatly eliminate the insecurity that Shila Boys associate with the KEKE NAPEP; people will now freely and comfortably use the buses even at night without the fear of anything happening to them as each bus has security personnel attached to it. Urban planners have looked to such public transportation to facilitate improvements in community health and well-being.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja.

By Muhammad Dauda Muhammad

About two years or so, I was in Jimeta, the capital city of Adamawa State, where I went to visit my family. And, from my observation, the city had witnessed a significant infrastructure improvement and, more significantly, the roads. 

I was amazed to see many areas where new roads were constructed. In the past, I would have never imagined that those places would one day be tarred, but all thanks to the former and the present administrations.

Now, I will state what triggered me to develop this piece. During my visit, I noticed something ill about people’s behaviour towards the new road infrastructure put in place to ease their daily routine, especially in the rainy season. 

Though I am not an engineer by profession, from experience, I know that roads that have already been constructed don’t need any form of substance to stay on them, be it water, oil or anything such. But instead, for people to be more careful and ensure the cleanliness of the roads, they choose to make the drainages built beside the roads for the successful passage of water a place to dump wastes. However, this act congested the drainages, thereby resulting in the stoppage of the water flow, making it spilt all over the roads.

Forget about Adamawa state, which is like a development area compared to states like Lagos and Kano. Kano State is not an exception when it comes to the issue of lack of maintenance of infrastructure. Looking at the ongoing road construction along Gwarzo Road, one will wonder why and how a whole road construction company will block a road for years, all in the name of construction, which is causing more damage to the already constructed road than is good. I am referring to those places they blocked planning to build a new roundabout.

This negligence didn’t stop on properties owned and controlled by the government alone but also in learning institutions like ours. Look at the Ibrahim Gambari Square, built and commissioned a few years ago and the first on our campus. 

Almost all the features set for the beautification of the facility have lost their structure. The fine bulbs that lighten and brighten up the place at night, the concrete chairs that students use to sit and catch a glimpse, the taps that splash water stylishly in the air, and the water flow system that has already been blocked. 

It has not stopped there, but some roads need urgent attention due to eruption, not to mention the grasses that have taken over so many places, greatly threatening the people and the environment.

NB: this piece is not an exposè but a mere candid call to all concerned citizens, both from the public and those in authority, to work collectively in ensuring a transparent and dirt-free society.

Muhammad Dauda Muhammad is a final year student of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via muhammaddaudamuhammad@gmail.com.

By Bello Hussein Adoto

I am a microbiologist. A colleague asked recently in my set’s WhatsApp group if we are practising as a microbiologist, and another colleague replied: “Virtually everyone!” His reply was laced with sarcasm.

A common belief amongst Nigerians is that if you are told you can work anywhere with your course, you are probably studying one of the so-called useless courses. Microbiology falls into this category.

My colleague’s reply suggests that it doesn’t matter whether you are a banker, a tech bro, or a journalist. You’re a microbiologist regardless of what you do. After all, “you can work anywhere.”

Sarcasm aside, the idea of being able to work anywhere with the course you study should not be a source of mockery. Instead, it should be a testament to the transferable skills that university education should equip you with.

All courses are not created equal. Human Kinetics Education is not as lucrative as Medicine; neither is History and International Studies as prestigious as Law. At least, many don’t believe they are. Nevertheless, each course is a product of university education, which should count for more than a patronising line that “you can work anywhere.”

I don’t use my university degree certificate today, but the training I got for it has served me in multiple fora. The communication skills I acquired from my practicals, presentations, and assignments helped my work as a freelancer, student, and team lead.

My team-playing experience from lab work, time management from projects, independence, ruggedness, and the capacity to improvise, adapt, and evolve came mainly from my time studying at the University.

Of course, these are not part of the curricula. The training I received on writing came via GNS 111 and MCB 311, and they were not even thorough. I only did them in “partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of ” XYZ—the others I picked up ‘ear and dear’ as a student, without necessarily having to write exams. Still, I am not sure I could have picked all that without having the formal structure of a university to inspire and support me.

I’m not holding brief for courses that have probably outlived their usefulness and should be scrapped or those better as a six-month online course than a four-year classroom programme. Those courses should be reviewed and made more relevant now that education is more expensive and the labour market is more competitive.

Beyond universities and educators, students must reflect on who they want to be. The era of special courses that fetch cool jobs and fat salaries is fast coming to an end. It’s no longer just a matter of what you studied but who you are and what you can do. Some may add who you know, but that’s open to debate.

Besides, the usefulness of a course is also becoming a matter of perspective. Is studying medicine useless if you can earn more as a tech bro.? Is going to school even necessary when you can make a lawyer’s annual salary from creating videos on YouTube and TikTok? Students must find their answers early. Proper career guidance could help here.

We need people in various departments to practice in diverse fields. Not everyone will be a medical doctor or earn thousands of dollars from writing codes or doing affiliate marketing. We will still need farmers, teachers, and communications specialists in the future.

While studying a not-so-prestigious course and earning good money are not mutually exclusive, it’s better now, to begin with the end in mind so that you don’t get to the “top of the ladder and only then realise it was standing against the wrong wall,” as Stephen Covey wrote.

Meanwhile, if you are studying any of the so-called useless courses that allow you to work anywhere, immerse yourself in it. Make your time worth your while. Come out enriched with skills and experiences that can serve you anywhere and at any age.

Don’t fall for the condescension or pity yourself for wasting your time at the University. You are already studying the course, so it’s in your best interest to help yourself and make the most of the course. Who knows, you might graduate and realise the course is not useless after all.

Bell Hussein writes via bellohussein210@gmail.com.

By Kamal Alkasim

In these tough economic times in Nigeria, young people, your ideas are more valuable than you think. They can be your ticket to success if you present them well. You can start small or go big, online or offline. Don’t start a business without knowing the ropes. Here’s some straightforward advice: Begin a small business, regardless of your education. Education helps but doesn’t limit you.

If you want to make it, learn from the experts in your field. Avoid diving into something you don’t understand. Ignorance won’t get you far. Remember, being a job creator is better than being a job seeker.

Procrastination is your enemy. Act on your ideas quickly. As Pastor Reno Omokri wisely said, “Your mind is your supercomputer.” Believe in the power of positive thinking, as Islamic Scholar Malam Ibrahim Khalil noted: “A rich person grows through investments, and a poor person through positive thoughts.”

Don’t believe opportunities are scarce. Every day is a chance to work on your ideas wisely and diligently. Even the slightest idea can lead to something great. Small steps pave the way for significant achievements.

Always remember that your ideas hold immense potential. The choice is yours: build on them or let them go to waste. Your future is in your hands. May God bless the brilliant young minds of Nigeria as they turn their ideas into reality!

Kamal Alkasim writes from Kano via Kamalalkasim17@gmail.com.

By Ibrahim Isa Wada

When the current administration was advised by some economic experts to withdraw the subsidy on fuel and allow the Nigerian Naira to find its own value in the international arena, I got so much worried for fears of what would be the outcome. Being a nonexpert on economics, banking or finance, but only a bloody retired broadcast regulator with a fair understanding of day to day current issues, I decided to drop this piece and I hope it will be carefully considered by the experts. All I know is that, life is so hard for all of us since the Naira decided to take a flung and the fuel prices shoot up.

Sadly, some of the experts disappeared while others started to blame the past administration and/or their village people for making our lives so miserable.

Defending the value of the Naira amounts to defending the Tinubu/Kashim administration, and surely the interest of the Nigerian people.

How can any government, businesses or persons successfully plan and execute meaningful projects; how can Nigeria join economic groups, like the BRICS, with such a rickety currency?

I understand that the value of the Nigerian Naira is a function of her balance of trade. That is for the Naira to be strong and stable, the total value of goods and services Nigeria imports must be the same or less than the value of goods and services Nigeria exports over the period of time.

In the present circumstances, we tend to import almost everything including PMS, and even charcoal for smoking Shisha! While we export gold and dollars in cash etc, to safe havens. To be frank, any Nigerian leadership that wants to succeed must have a strong and stable Naira to begin with, which can be achieved by taking the following measures, among others:

1) Bring back the policy of Export Promotion and Import Substitution of the late 70’s.

This should be done with vigour. Any product that could be manufactured in Nigeria shall not be easily imported into the country, while all products that can be exported should receive a boost from the government.

There are means and ways to manuver around international trade politics, like the WTO, to achieve that.

2) Formalise all international transactions, including our transborder trade with ECOWAS and other African countries. Currently the Nigerian Central Bank serves as the unofficial African Central Bank, providing the foreign exchange requirements for many African countries that route their trade through Nigeria.

The trade formalization entails the systemic deployment of adequate personnel and infrastructure that would make international trade between Nigeria and other countries smooth, yet documented.

3) The CBN, Commercial Banks and Bureau De Change operations should have a joint universal forex transactions software that will ease, unify and speed up forex trading.

4) From 3 above, all foreign currency transfers including PTA above $250 must be in digital form.

5) Also from 3 above, the commercial banks and BDC Forex Operator window should capture a basket of about seven major foreign currencies that Nigeria transacts in, i.e Dollar, Yuan, Euro, Pound, CFA, Saudi Riyal and Dirham.

Therefore the BDC operators should have multiple currency accounts with their banks to receive and transfer funds in digital form.

6) The Nigerian government should be bold enough to block all foreign exchange leakages, in form of waivers and favours to individuals and institutions.

7) Develop key institutions targeted towards the elimination of Forex Guzzlers thus:

a) Establish more private universities to reduce students high foreign exchange remittances.

b) Establish more world class hospitals to save foreign exchange from medical tourism.

c) Establish companies for the local fabrication of low technology agricultural and industrial machinery to reduce foreign exchange outflow.

d) Fuel imports should stop at the shortest possible time, by developing more modular refineries, privatising existing ones and ensuring the early take up of the Dangote refinery.

8) In line with the Export Promotion and Import Substitution Strategy, invest heavily in agriculture to reduce food and dairy products import, as well as encourage the exports of cocoa, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, beef, etc.

This is my political perspective of the basic economic issue, because if the politicians fail to defend the value of the Naira and the poor, they will fail utterly in politics.

Ibrahim Isa Wada, writes from Kano, Nigeria. He can be reached via; ibrahimisawada@gmail.com

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned Nigerians to prepare for flooding in the country. 

The Director-General, NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, disclosed this at the National Emergency Coordination Forum Meeting in Abuja on Saturday. 

The agency disclosed that 13 states might be affected by the scheduled release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon. 

The agency has also disclosed that over 28 people have been killed, 48,168 individuals displaced, and 159,157 persons affected by flooding in Nigeria this year. 

Ahmed further stated that there has been an upsurge of water along the flood plains of the River Benue, which he said will greatly affect states like Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa. 

He added that there has been a sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours. 

Ahmed further stated that the agency has directed the activation of all emergency response units to be ready for any emergencies as the flooding will be increasing as the days go by. 

“As a result of the unfolding situation, I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of State and Local Governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters,” he added.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo 

It is a tragic reality that Nigeria has been plagued by the incessant collapse of its national grid for the past few years. The nation has never been capable of generating, transmitting, and distributing sufficient electricity to its vast population. Daily life in Nigeria is synonymous with power outages, leaving citizens in perpetual darkness. The country’s electricity infrastructure is not only old but woefully inadequate to meet the needs of its growing population. This dire situation calls for immediate action from relevant authorities.

For years, Nigeria has been grappling with its power crisis. The nation’s outdated and insufficient infrastructure has failed to keep up with the times and the growing population, perpetuating the ongoing power outages. This has led to frustrated citizens and even more frustrated businesses. With the current state of the economy, power outages only worsen matters. The sector’s neglect and waning attention have only contributed to landing Nigeria in an unenviable situation.

The impact of Nigeria’s power crisis has been felt in every sector. It has taken a toll on schools, which cannot provide the quality of education necessary for the future generation. The constant blackouts also put lives in danger in hospitals as equipment fails and medical procedures abruptly halt. Businesses and industries are hit worst, struggling to remain productive amidst the darkness. Countless jobs are lost each year because of this lack of reliable infrastructure.

It is high time the authorities take these vital issues seriously and collaborate to develop solutions for the ailing power infrastructure. There needs to be a concerted effort towards investing in modern and efficient technologies, rehabilitating existing power plants, and improving power transmission and distribution systems. The current situation only highlights the pressing need for diversification in the sector, with greater emphasis on alternative and renewable energy sources.

The government must adopt pragmatic policies that attract investment in the power sector and provide incentives for clean energy solutions. It is a long-term solution that should not be underestimated and goes beyond serving the immediate needs of citizens but ensures the country’s future development.

Nigeria has the potential to generate power from a wide range of sources, including solar and wind power. Investing in these sources of energy promises considerable benefits for the nation in the long term. Efforts to tap into these sources must be expedited, and plans must be established to incorporate them into the existing power infrastructure.

Nigeria’s power crisis must be resolved today rather than tomorrow. The authorities must act urgently and focus on implementing long-term solutions that address Nigeria’s power needs. Efficient technologies and infrastructures should be prioritised to usher Nigeria into an electrified future. Only then will the country be able to realise its full potential and offer a brighter future for its people.

Jarmajo writes from Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. 

By Abba Ado

Excellent connection and communication skills are significant to success, particularly in this modern world. No matter how hard you work, how smart you are, or how talented you are, you’re less likely to become successful if you don’t have good and efficient skills in communication and connecting with other people.

To stand out against your counterparts in leadership, business, or any organisation, you must effectively cooperate with people.  Undoubtedly, you can’t be smarter than everybody, and even if you are smart enough, you can never be smarter than people who connect themselves, share ideas, and come up with sufficient solutions.

The major barriers to success are the lack of ability to connect with desired people. Many people have a repressed brainiac capability, but they remain stagnant due to the absence of an effective connection. According to the definition coined by John C. Maxwell,” Connection is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them”.

Connection and communication are crucial to having good leadership; for you to be constructive in your leadership role, you must have excellent communication with your coworkers. The power of connecting with others cannot be emphasised; the starting point of gaining connection skills is to keep aside your biases, such as religious, cultural or ethnic differences. Connecting with people is key to success regardless of your goals.

It is good to know you can’t do everything alone; your smartness and hard work are not enough to lift you to where you want to be. You must engage with society who share the same ideology to influence each other,” if smart A connects with smart B, they arrived at having double ideas instead of one”. Several studies have shown that high achievers listen to others, consider others, and interestingly solicit ideas from those who are inferior.

In his book titled “Everyone Communicates Few Connect”, John C. Maxwell classified different ways of connecting at every level, such as:

Connecting One-on-One is the most important aspect of connection; at this level, you must know other people’s matters, listen to them attentively, and share your values with their ideas; in the end, you will gain common valuable information.

The second way is Connecting In A Group; at this level, recognise every person’s potency, acknowledge it, and be open to new ideas, especially their potential. 

The third is Connecting With An Audience: in this case, you need to convey your appreciation to the audience, do something exceptional for them, and inform them how much you enjoyed engaging with them.

The major key to success is the ability to communicate and establish a good connection with people; without connecting and communicating, Mark Zuckerberg would not have built Facebook, and Steve Jobs would not have found Apple. For us to have better socioeconomic growth, we must connect; our business moguls, especially in northern Nigeria, should come up with an effective way of communication that would lead to immaculate partnerships to build industries and markets that would employ thousands of people rather than being stagnant with one idea that won’t go anywhere.

Connections are not only about leadership or business but across all aspects of life, whether in academics,  institutions, or coworkers; once you have any idea, try to identify people who share the same ideology. You can connect with every person, such as professors, doctors, friends, or colleagues.

One of the best ways to connect with your mentors is via email address, social handle, or face-to-face. Know how to craft an attractive email address because a poorly written one may disqualify you. To become successful, you must cooperate with people no matter how smart you are. Two heads are better than one.

Abba Ado wrote via abbaadomusa0@gmail.com.

By Tijjani Ahmad, FCA

Our lives are often shaped by the people we meet along the way, and for me, one of those people has been a dear friend whose journey I’ve witnessed since our junior secondary school days. Dr MI Aminu’s life is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence, leading to his remarkable success as an academic and career professional.

Our paths first crossed in junior secondary school, where we shared the challenges and triumphs of those formative years. From there, we ventured into senior secondary school, navigating the complexities of education and personal growth side by side. But our educational journey was far from over. After completing our senior secondary education, we took a significant step in our academic paths by attending the College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies (CAS), Kano, for IJMB A-level. During these pivotal years, we solidified our friendship and embarked on a shared journey of intellectual growth.

It was after our time at CAS that our paths diverged. Dr Aminu pursued his dreams at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), where he chose to study Business Administration, driven by his passion for business and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, I ventured to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to pursue a degree in accounting, charting my unique course.

While our locations and fields of study differed, our friendship remained steadfast. We supported each other from afar, exchanging stories of our academic pursuits and experiences. It was evident that a shared desire for knowledge and personal growth drove both of us. After completing his studies, Dr. Aminu entered the corporate world, working tirelessly in the banking sector for four years. During this time, his dedication to knowledge and personal growth never wavered.

The academic world beckoned at this stage, and he answered its call. He left his banking career to pursue an academic path, starting with Kano State Polytechnic. This transition reflected his commitment to knowledge and desire to inspire the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. His academic journey reached a pinnacle when he set his sights on a PhD in Entrepreneurship. This pursuit took him to Malaysia, where he immersed himself in research and scholarship, guided by the erudite Prof. Rosli Mahmood, one of the foremost professors in the field of management and entrepreneurship in Asia. Under Prof. Mahmood’s mentorship, Dr Aminu honed his expertise in the area he was so passionate about.

Upon earning his PhD, Dr Aminu returned and found his way to one of the prestigious universities in Nigeria, ABU, Zaria, where he was welcomed as a faculty member. His dedication to research and scholarship is evident in his publication of over twenty articles in reputable journals, leaving an indelible mark on entrepreneurship, as reflected in the impressive 160 citations garnered by his works.

Beyond his scholarly achievements, Dr Aminu’s commitment to education shines brightly through his mentorship of over 20 MSc and PhD students. With a generous spirit and fervour for guiding the next generation, he imparts the values of perseverance and academic excellence. Dr Aminu’s unwavering commitment to research and his nurturing of future academics epitomises his lifelong dedication to knowledge and personal growth, serving as an inspiring testament to the transformative influence of education and mentorship.

But the story doesn’t end there. Dr. Aminu recently achieved another milestone in his academic career – he was promoted to the coveted position of Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at ABU, Zaria. This promotion is a testament to his years of dedication to academia, rigorous research, and his commitment to entrepreneurship. It is not just a title but a recognition of his contributions to the academic community and his impact on countless students over the years.

Dr MI Aminu’s remarkable journey reminds us that the pursuit of excellence and the fulfilment of one’s dreams are endeavours that require unwavering dedication and the courage to navigate diverse paths. His story underscores the profound impact of mentors and the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders. It teaches us that regardless of the challenges we face or the twists and turns in our journey, with resilience and a steadfast commitment to our aspirations, we, too, can achieve greatness. His life is an enduring testament to the boundless possibilities that await those who embrace lifelong learning, pursue their passions, and inspire others.

Today, Dr. Aminu stands as a beacon of inspiration to all who have known him. His journey from our school days to his current position as an Associate Professor at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. May his story continue to inspire us all as we pursue our paths to success.

Tijjani Ahmad wrote from Kano via ahmatee123@gmail.com.