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Dr. Gwaram Distorts Facts, We Sponsored Ourselves — Cry PhD Holders at FCAPT, Kano

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11 months ago

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In a dramatic twist to the narrative being peddled by the embattled Provost of the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), Kano, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, several academic staff have come forward to debunk his recent claims of having increased the number of PhD holders in the institution from 3 to 13 within five years.

The claim, published in several media outlets, has been described by multiple sources within the institution as “a desperate attempt to score cheap popularity” and “a clear distortion of facts aimed at bolstering his failed bid for tenure extension.”

In a series of interviews conducted with several PhD holders at FCAPT, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, a clearer picture has emerged. Contrary to Dr. Gwaram’s assertion, the College currently has only nine PhD holders, not thirteen as he claimed. Of these, three, including Dr. Gwaram himself, already held doctoral degrees prior to his assumption of office in 2020.

Of the remaining six, four were already enrolled in PhD programs before he took office, with no institutional support whatsoever from the College. “To be very clear, no single lecturer has received financial support, not even for tuition, from the College under Dr. Gwaram’s leadership,” said one of the sources. There was an active and highly intelligent lecturer who got a PhD admission in India, despite using his meagre salary to finance his travels and other academic costs, this lecturer had to abandon his study due to lack of support from the College. “If Gwaram ever supported only one PhD student, we challenge him to publish the evidence. We are enlightened and educated. Nobody can take us for a ride”, said one of the angry PhD. holders.

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More concerning is the active obstruction Dr. Gwaram has allegedly meted out to staff pursuing postgraduate studies. For example, three of the College’s promising lecturers, all of whom secured competitive, fully funded PhD scholarships abroad, had their study leave applications denied, and their salaries suspended for about three consecutive years. These scholars, now based in the USA, Japan, and Thailand, represent the kind of global exposure and academic excellence any serious institution should be proud of. Yet, in what many described as a retaliatory stance, Dr. Gwaram refused to reinstate their salaries despite a directive from the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), which unequivocally instructed him to settle the outstanding payments.

As for the so-called Research and Development (R&D) support, the truth is equally disappointing. The College, under Dr. Gwaram, provides a measly ₦150,000 (approx. $100) per staff member and only to a small circle of favorites, once annually. These monies come from the budgets of the Federal Government not the internally generated revenue as he falsely claimed. No PhD candidate has ever received this ₦150,000 naira support more than once. “How can ₦150,000 cover tuition, research logistics, transportation, and publication costs in today’s economy, let alone abroad?” one of the lecturers queried. “The claim that this is a meaningful support is not only misleading but also insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.”

Insiders suggest that Dr. Gwaram’s recent media campaign is part of a calculated strategy to position himself for an illegal extension of his tenure, which is due to end on August 20, 2025. “If Dr. Gwaram truly believes in the capacity of the PhD holders he is celebrating in the press, why not step aside and support one of them to succeed him as Provost? That would be a genuine legacy,” another source pointed out.

Instead, the atmosphere at FCAPT has become one of distrust, intimidation, and political maneuvering, with staff demoralized and students left as collateral damage in the Provost’s quest for personal aggrandizement.

We therefore call on well-meaning Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the agricultural education and research sector, to disregard the embellished narratives being circulated by Dr. Gwaram. FCAPT is in dire need of visionary, fair-minded, and transparent leadership, not one rooted in propaganda and the suppression of merit. Prayed one of the academic staff union leaders.

He added, “the true heroes of the College’s academic advancement are the resilient lecturers who struggled and triumphed against all odds on their own dime and determination.

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Kano Ranked 1st for Raising a Family: What Is It Telling Us?

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6 hours ago

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May 28, 2026

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By Murtala Uba Mohammed PhD

Kano’s recent ranking as the number one city for safely raising a family has sparked widespread debate across social media, prompting renewed conversations about the city’s image and reputation. Many people, especially those who frequently encounter negative news about Kano, question whether the city truly deserves such recognition.

Indeed, Kano is often portrayed as a hotspot for crime, theft, political hooliganism, and social unrest. The outspoken nature of its people has also made the city less appealing to some observers. Yet, Kano is not just another city; it is a civilization in its own right, historically deep, socially vibrant, economically resilient, and culturally influential.

The high number of reported crimes in Kano should not automatically be used to label it as unsafe or undesirable. Rather, such visibility is partly a consequence of its large population, cosmopolitan character, and strong media presence. Compared to many cities in northern Nigeria and even across the wider Sahel region, Kano remains one of the most socially and economically active urban centres, naturally attracting greater public attention.

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Kano has long served as a safe haven for migrants, traders, workers, and entrepreneurs from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Ironically, many of the high-profile criminal incidents reported in the city involve non-indigenes residing in Kano. The viral case of the woman (whose origin is Zamfara State) allegedly killed by a Chinese national in Jan Bulo, the incident involving a woman from Sokoto and her husband in Naibawa, or the more recent killing of a trader in Sheka allegedly linked to an individual from rural Katsina State, all reflect the city’s openness and diversity rather than a uniquely “Kano” problem.

If anything, Kano’s ranking speaks to the resilience, adaptability, and dynamism of the city. Great cities, especially mega and emerging mega cities like Kano, naturally experience social shocks and pressures. Yet, despite these challenges, they continue to stand strong, recover, reinvent themselves, and outlive waves of criticism and negativity.

People may say many things about Kano, but very few can truly resist Kano. The city possesses a magnetic force rooted in its history, commerce, culture, and human energy. Kano is like a beautiful flowering lady — hardly does a healthy young or old man pass by without turning to admire her beauty.

Continue to shine, Kano, our dearest Kano. Hold the flag high, keep rising, and continue to inspire generations.Misliki ka alfin.

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Post-Primary Reconciliation: Atiku Visits Amaechi in ADC Unity Push

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7 hours ago

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May 28, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at his Abuja residence on Thursday, following the conclusion of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries.

He was accompanied by former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and other party chieftains.

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The visit comes amid political discussions and reactions surrounding the ADC primaries, in which both Atiku and Amaechi played prominent roles.

According to party sources, the meeting is part of ongoing consultations aimed at fostering unity within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the party’s presidential primary.

As of the time of this report, details of the closed-door meeting had not been made public.

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Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Primary Amid Fraud Allegations by Rivals, Polls 1.8m Votes

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16 hours ago

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May 28, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election, securing a commanding majority of the votes cast, according to official results announced by the party.

Mr Abubakar polled 1,846,370 votes out of a total of 2,527,977 votes cast, defeating his two main challengers: former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatudeen.

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Mr Amaechi finished a distant second with 504,117 votes, while Mr Hayatudeen came third with 177,120 votes.

However, the primary election was immediately mired in controversy, as both Mr Amaechi and Mr Hayatudeen rejected the outcome, alleging widespread electoral malpractice. The two candidates had earlier condemned the process even before the final results were announced.

The result positions Mr Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer for the upcoming presidential election, though the dispute over the credibility of the primary could foreshadow legal or internal party challenges in the days ahead.

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