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Dr. Ahmad Bamba:The Lost Of An African Scholar-Jibia

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4 years ago

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Abdussamad Ahmad Jibia

It was a Friday, specifically the seventh of January 2022 in the official salary calendar of Nigeria. Even if you are not Gregorian in your personal timings once you are a salary worker in Nigeria you cannot afford to ignore the Gregorian calendar. Even Islamic schools use it to pay their workers. Traders are always conscious of it because their sales are higher at the end of the month. Employers feel relieved when they are able to pay their staff before or on the last day of a Gregorian month. Nigerian politicians list payment of monthly salaries as one of their achievements.

But this piece is not about salary payment or the Gregorian calendar.

In one of the Whatsapp groups I belong, someone had just posted that Dr. Ahmad Bamba was dead. Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim was, until sometime in the late 1990s, a tenure staff of the Department of Islamic Studies Bayero University Kano. After some misunderstandings with the then administration of Bayero University Kano, which he narrated when he was alive, he voluntarily withdrew his services from the university only to be to be reabsorbed, voluntarily retire and reabsorbed many years later when Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed assumed the Vice Chancellorship of the University.

Before I could react to the news of Sheikh Ahmad BUK as many people called him, I must verify its correctness. In 2020, I went to the extent of calling the Deputy National Chairman of the Izala group to condole him about the death of Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau announced by an online newspaper and it turned out to be a fake news. Before he died, fake news reporters had once killed Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the erstwhile Presidential candidate of the defunct NRC and publisher of the first Nigerian Islamic newspaper, The Pen. Much earlier, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was killed many times before his death, even without social media at that time. With all these in my mind, I decided to verify, and I thought the best person to ask was my neighbor and one the most senior students of the Sheikh, Professor Ahmad Murtala. After the confirmation, I began to pray for Dr. Ahmad.

Dantata Shed Tears Over Insecurity

I do not personally know any of Dr. Ahmad’s children except for one of his daughters who is a classmate and a close friend of one of my two wives. But my wife was in Bauchi for the marriage ceremony of a cousin in her mother’s family. So she could only immediately phone. Of course, she visited Insaaf Bamba after her return. As for me, the best thing I could do was to pray. As an ordinary person, I have always avoided gatherings of people who matter in the society. Allah answers prayers from whichever location and even from ordinary people like me. So, in sha Allah we shall continue to pray for Islamic scholars like Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim. Of course, the best way to remember a scholar is first, to practice the message he propagated and to continue to spread his teachings. The Messenger of Allah (May blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) listed a knowledge taught by a Muslim as one of the acts of virtue that continue to fetch them rewards after their death as long as the knowledge continues to be practiced.

But who is Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim?

Baby Ahmad was born in 1940 in Kumasi, Ghana to a migrant family of Islamic scholars. Migration from Northern Nigeria to Ghana is age long and Dr. Ahmad’s family is one of those Nigerian families who migrated to join the Hausa community of Ghana. The child of Fatima and Muhammad began his early Islamic education from home and at the age of 14 he was taken to a tailor to learn the art of making clothes while still attending his Islamic lessons.

The turning point in Sheikh Ahmad’s life came with his journey to Saudi Arabia to study. I heard him confess several times that before he made it to Madina where he met world class Islamic scholars he had begun to see himself as a leading Islamic scholar. That was understandable given the environment in which Sheikh Ahmad was brought up. However, according to him when he arrived Madinah he was reduced to a beginner struggling to learn.

And he learnt well. Soon after collecting his letter of admission and registering as an undergraduate in the prestigious International Islamic University of Medina, Ahmad Bamba excelled to become one of the best students of Hadith. That was the time when the University was headed by the famous Sheikh AbdulAzeez Bn Baaz, and had lecturers like Sheikh Hammad Al-Ansariy. These are some of the best Islamic scholars of their generation and it is a pride for any student of Islam to come in contact with them even if they didn’t teach him. They directly taught Sheikh Ahmad.

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Ahmad’s scholastic aptitude earned him a good degree in Hadith before he left the Prophetic city of Madina. He assumed duty as a lecturer in the well respected Department of Islamic studies of Bayero University in 1981.

For the first one decade of his sojourn in Bayero University, the people who mostly benefitted from his vast knowledge of Islam were the students of his Department. For the rest of us in other faculties of the same University, we only heard about him when we discussed with his students. This is not to say that other people did not discover him early enough. In addition to teaching at the Aminuddeen’s Da’wah Islamiyya School many people, including some influential businessmen, privately visited the Sheikh’s house for Islamic lessons.

After the death in 1992 of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi who served as the de facto leader of the Salafis in Nigeria, the private students of Sheikh Ahmad Bamba thought that there was the need to raise their not well-known teacher to serve as a replacement. And it worked perfectly well. The first open lessons of Hadith by the Sheikh began at a location provided by one of his students in Gandun Albasa Quarters, Kano.

The lessons in Gandun Albasa did not last long. The promoters of the Hadith lessons thought further that better results could be achieved if the lessons were moved to the University, after all Dr. Ahmad was a staff of the only University in Kano at that time. That is how Dr. Ahmad began his Hadith lessons in the Bayero University Old campus Jumuah mosque. And because the lessons were holding in BUK and Dr. Ahmad was a staff of BUK, he came to be known in many circles as Dr. Ahmad BUK.

As planned by his students and with Allah’s permission, Dr. Ahmad within the blink of an eye became the scholar everyone respected in Northern Nigeria. Many people from all over Kano state and the neighbouring Katsina and Jigawa states made special arrangements to attend his weekly lessons in Kano. Those who could not attend would not miss the cassettes. He was teaching the Nigerian public a knowledge that was hitherto restricted to the circle of select Islamic scholars. He was questioning unIslamic traditions of Sheikh-worshipping. He openly exposed disbeliefs packaged and given to Muslims as Islam. Naturally, this would not go down well with those who benefitted from the status quo; hence the many enemies of Dr. Ahmad.

Younger Sunni scholars accepted Dr. Ahmad as their leader and respected his interventions. For example, he prevailed on the Late Sheikh Ja’afar Adam to rescind his decision to impose niqab as part of the compulsory uniform for girls in Uthman bn Affan College. For those of us who attended various lessons of different Salafi scholars in Kano, we noticed that salient issues raised by Dr. Ahmad were always amplified by other scholars as a mark of respect for the late leader scholar.

Books of Hadith are categorized. The best are the collections of Bukhari and Muslim. Any hadith reported by both scholars is considered as unquestionably authentic. The next set of books are the Sunan. These are the collections of Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah. The six books put together are known as “The Six Collections (Al Kutubus Sitta)”. The six collections plus the collections of Imam Ahmad (Musnad), Imam Malik (Muwatta) and Imam Addarimiy (Sunan) are known as “The nine collections (Al Kutubut tis’ah)”.

In case you don’t know the level of Dr. Ahmad’s contribution, he is the only African scholar known to have read, translated and interpreted the nine collections to public.

Dr. Ahmad was charismatic. Perharps that was what made many people feared approaching him thinking that he would be too tough to deal with. They were always surprised when the Sheikh received them with smiles and an open mind.

Like the Late Sheikh Abubakar Gummi, Dr. Ahmad was generous. As donations kept coming, he kept giving. This has been attested to by people very close to him. At a point when someone spoke to him about it, he said, “keeping this one will prevent another one from coming”. This is a statement that could only be discerned by a person who understands the saying of Allah, “Whatever you spend (for Allah’s sake), Allah will provide its replacement” (Q34:39)

If your habit is to carry gossip from one point to another, Dr. Ahmad would never welcome you. His time was for teaching and learning. He encouraged productivity and urged youth to be focused until they excelled in the one thing they choose to do in life.

When some people began to question his nationality, Dr. Ahmad stated in his characteristic smile that he had a “productive nationality”. And it is so. After he temporarily withdrew his services from Bayero University in the 1990s Sheikh Ahmad accepted to teach in the Islamic University of Niamey. Soon after, his Nigerian students arranged for him to come back and continue with the work he started. There was a mild rejection, by his Nigerien students. The Nigerians had their way and our neighbours gave up when they understood that more people stood to benefit from his knowledge in Nigeria.

May Allah have mercy on His servant Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim. May He forgive his shortcomings and admit him into the highest level of Firdaus. May Allah give this Ummah more of his kind. Amin.

Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia is a Public affairs commentator and a University Lecturer.
14/01/2022

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Opinion

Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and Hon. Murtala Sule Garo: A Well‑Matched Pair of Walking Shoes

Published

12 hours ago

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January 23, 2026

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By Kabir Mamman Sani

Very soon, Kano’s political landscape will realign, when the State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf finally join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
When this finally happened, the governor will need a “perfect pair” to keep his stride steady, particularly when the current Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam decided not to defect along with him.
Governor Abba Kabir, now in his 63rd year and over two years into office, has already set a pace of urgency, restoration, and a “New Kano” vision.
For the State to sustain that momentum, pairing him with a deputy who can match his stride — like Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will certainly justify the political realignment.
In leadership, a governor and his deputy are like a well‑crafted pair of walking shoes: one provides direction, the other offers support, and together they traverse any terrain. The left shoe (the governor) charts the course, while the right shoe (the deputy) absorbs shock, maintains balance, and keeps the journey comfortable. Their synergy translates into stability, inclusive governance, and relentless progress for Kano.

For so many reasons, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo fits the right shoe. He is from the Kano North Senatorial Zone where the deputy governor position was zoned.
He has grassroots credibility. As a former Commissioner for Local Government, he has built a reputation for accessibility and for managing people and resources at the community level.
Hon. Murtala, is a bridge‑builder. He can link the NNPP’s existing structures with the APC’s broader network, easing the anticipated party switch and creating a cohesive environment for policy execution.

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As a grassroots mobilizer, particularly in a state known for political vibrancy, Murtala Sule Garo will play a stabilizer role. His ability to rally wards, councils, and youth groups and turn political apathy into active participation, boosting voter turnout and civic engagement, is assured.

What can this pair deliver?
Stability from the ground up – a olid foundation of local support prevents “small tremors from becoming structural crises,” as analyst Dr. Elena Vance notes, hence with Hon. Murtala Sule Garo providing a buffer to the Governor, political stability will ensue.
The pair is capable of further accelerating development in the State – With the ongoing projects in water supply, agricultural subsidies, and digital transformation, the governor’s ambitious blueprint gains a reliable executor.
Moreover, Murtala’s inclusive approach to governance will further open doors to traditional rulers, youth groups, and private investors fostering collective ownership of Kano’s progress. Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will lock in that trajectory, ensuring the administration’s plans endure and citizens feel the comfort of steady, balanced leadership.

Governor Yusuf’s achievements in urban renewal, educational reform, healthcare expansion, and infrastructure upgrades—have already earned him a reputation as one of the state’s most effective leaders. Pairing him with Murtala Sule Garo will be the best way forward for the State.

Just as a good pair of walking shoes carries a traveler forward with confidence, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Deputy Murtala Sule Garo can lead Kano on a successful, step‑by‑step journey—comfortable, supportive, and balanced for every stakeholder.

Kabir Mamman Sani, a political analyst write from Minjibir

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Opinion

Christopher Musa: Experience Meets Strategist-Sageer Ahmad

Published

2 days ago

on

January 22, 2026

By

Sageer Ahmad

It didn’t come to us as a surprise when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.

Indeed the president’s decision signals a deliberate effort to align experience with strategy at a time when national security remains a critical concern for every well-meaning Nigerian. No doubt, Nigeria and Nigerians have had it very rough in recent years and the deserving testimonies the nation received on the choice of CG Musa is adequate enough to tell the world that CG Musa is equal to the task.

A veteran officer with decades of distinguished service to the well-being of Nigeria, his appointment as a minister brings to the Defence Ministry a deep understanding of Nigeria’s security environment and a calculative and systematic approach to a sustainable solution to the lingering security issues. Without being sentimental, his emergence as Defence Minister reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen policy direction, improve coordination among security agencies and reinforce public confidence in the country’s defence institutions.

As a professional shaped by years of frontline command and strategic leadership, Nigerians now believe the country is widely regarded within military and policy circles, as a country at the verge of overcoming its travails. His records have shown that over the course of his career, he played key roles in counter-insurgency and internal security operations, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry and communal violence. His experience cuts across field operations and high-level defence planning, giving him a balanced grasp of both tactical realities and policy demands, for a better country.

Before his appointment, Musa served at the highest level of Nigeria’s military leadership, where he oversaw joint operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on inter-service cooperation, intelligence-driven operations and improved welfare for personnel.

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His appointment came at a critical time that the nation is in dire need of peace and Nigerians have no doubt that CG Musa will steady but surely give Nigerians the needed peace. A straightforward personality with a complete sense of responsibility and commitment to national security, he is an exact example of a responsible and responsive security administrator.

Barely weeks after assuming office, Minister CG Musa began by setting a clear tone for the country’s security direction and recording early ministerial milestones anchored on coordination, professionalism and decisive action against insecurity.

Since his appointment he has moved swiftly to redefine the Ministry of Defence’s leadership posture, placing emphasis on results-driven security management rather than rhetoric. At several high-level engagements, he has publicly committed to delivering tangible improvements in national security, assuring Nigerians of the government’s resolve to reclaim communities affected by insurgency, banditry and violent crime.

However, one of CG Musa’s notable early achievements is his push for stronger inter-agency collaboration. He has consistently underscored the need for seamless cooperation among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and internal security institutions, arguing that modern security threats require unified and intelligence-led responses. This stance has reinforced the ongoing joint operations and improved coordination among security stakeholders. Moreover, the citizens have started seeing the good impact of the calculative and decisive move of the minister.

CG Musa has further distinguished his tenure by reasserting professionalism and ethical leadership within the military by charging senior officers to uphold loyalty to the Constitution, integrity and discipline in command as well as professional conduct.

It is on record that troop welfare has also featured prominently on his agenda as he publicly emphasized that the morale and wellbeing of personnel are critical to mission success, he also pledged improved attention to logistics, equipment, healthcare and family support for service members.

As a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy who attended several advanced military and leadership courses within and outside Nigeria, his career also includes participation in regional and multinational security initiatives, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in collective efforts to address cross-border threats in the sub-region as well as to install the nation’s dignity in the global focus.

As Defence Minister, Musa is expected to focus on defence policy coordination, military reforms, procurement oversight and the strengthening of civil-military relations. His background places him in a unique position to bridge the gap between policy formulation and operational realities, ensuring that decisions taken at the centre translate into tangible security outcomes across the country.

However, with insecurity still posing serious challenges nationwide, expectations are high and that is why we believe in the simple fact that Christopher Musa’s appointment represents a strategic recalibration that will chase the bandits, insurgents and other vices out of the country for a healthier, better and robust Nigeria of all good days.

To the bandits and the insurgents, get ready to repent or face the wrath of CG Musa, the Nigerian savior.

Sagir Ahmed writes from Kano and can be reach via email: ahmadtsagir@gmail.com

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Opinion

Why delivery will define Nigeria’s climate future-Erika Paredes

Published

2 days ago

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January 22, 2026

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By Erika Paredes

Across Nigeria, a recurrent question among policymakers and business leaders is no longer about climate ambition, but about outcomes. What matters is whether climate action translates into households with steady power, affordable energy for businesses, and jobs for young people.

Climate capital is available, and Nigeria ranks among the top destinations for climate investors. Capital is flowing to solar grids, electric buses, flood-proof roads, and drought-resistant crops. Yet the central doubt remains whether the country has the delivery capacity to move fast enough. Success hinges not on funding alone, but on bankable projects: clear timelines, assigned roles, transparent risks, and fast approvals. When done right, paper becomes power plants.

Nigeria’s international climate engagement has not lacked ambition. Recent statements make this clear. This momentum is already visible: in 2023, the World Bank approved a USD 750 million clean energy programme to expand access for over 17.5 million Nigerians, while a separate agreement with Siemens Energy is advancing grid modernisation. This shows that well-structured projects can attract investment.

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Climate finance is often seen as only about saving forests. In reality, for Nigeria, it can be a growth engine that attracts investment and creates employment at scale. Nigerian leaders are already engaging with these opportunities. When energy projects advance faster, power reaches households and businesses.
Countries that are beginning to scale climate finance successfully are not those announcing the largest targets. They are the ones strengthening the systems that turn opportunity into delivery, building confidence among investors and citizens alike. Successful top-scaler cases include Vietnam, with 17 GW of solar deployed in three years, and Chile, with 10 GW of renewables delivered through auctions and digital innovation.

Nigeria has the capacity and readiness to seize this moment. The next step is clear: shift decisively from ambition to execution, modernise and diversify project portfolios, and prioritise outcomes that Nigerians feel in their daily lives, particularly young people.

About the author: Erika Paredes is a Harvard-trained climate finance leader, former UN senior executive, and CEO of Climate Solutions for All. She has mobilised over USD 8 billion in development finance across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

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