Prof. Dandago

By Sunusi Abubakar, ACA

Had it not been for someone I deeply respect breaking the news of Professor K.I. Dandago’s passing to me might have left me harbouring resentment towards someone for a period of my life. I was utterly shocked by Prof’s death.

Professor K.I. Dandago, widely known in Nigeria and beyond, was a renowned academic whose character was exemplary among his peers.

Those who Prof K.I. Dandago taught will agree that one thing no one could take away from him was his ethics and sense of responsibility. The professor could stand in the rain or shine just to deliver a lecture. He could climb a 10-storey building merely to fulfil his duty. Despite being ill, Prof. often stood for nearly two hours to deliver a lecture to us when we were in level 400. He was always honest and sincere in his dealings.

My first encounter with Prof was in 2018 during a lecture on Ethical Issues in Accounting. I had the privilege of discussing with him the reason for my absence from a previous lecture. Even after I gave a genuine explanation, Prof insisted that I submit it formally so that he could verify its validity.

My second encounter was after a lecture at Northwest University (NWU)’s Main Campus. I asked him about the Big Four accounting firms in Nigeria. He shared extensive insights and even explained how he facilitated a business relationship between KPMG and a private university in Kano.

My relationship with Prof grew stronger and more personal during Level 400. During that time, I often visited his office for professional guidance. He graciously agreed to act as my professional referee when I began my journey with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. The professor was instrumental in my path to becoming a chartered accountant and entering professional practice. I vividly remember him contacting the Principal Partner at Namadi Umar & Co. (Chartered Accountants) to secure my acceptance as an Audit Trainee. 

The last time we communicated was about my job application to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He assured me of his professional response and an academic recommendation. The last time I saw Prof was at a sensitisation lecture organised by the Faculty of SMS at NWU, Kano, where he served as a speaker and demonstrated his expertise in accounting and taxation, particularly regarding the new tax laws.

My relationship with Prof. was not merely that of a student and a lecturer, nor solely that of a mentor and a mentee; it was akin to that of a father and a son. The professor helped me in every possible way. I owe him a profound debt for living this life with honesty, accountability, and sincerity of purpose.

May He grant him Jannatul Firdaus and give us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Sunusi Abubakar, ACA, wrote from Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State.

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.