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Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu: The Ibn Khaldun Of Our Time

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5 years ago

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Professor-Abdalla-Uba-Adamu-VC-NOUN

 

By Hassan Auwalu Muhammad

 

Kano State has been striving to attract outstanding individuals in various fields, ranging from travel businesses, industrialization, Agriculture, Religious and Western education. Such prominent individuals are the backbone of Kano’s role in the development of its various sectors.

In the past, Religious study was the most important form of Education. Some people had a negative perception of western education, whereby, some people called it ‘Bokoko a Wuta’, meaning education that leads you to hell. over the past several years in Kano State, as well as other parts of Northern Nigeria, that had been the trend.

. As time went on, the state of Western education had begun to gain acceptance by the people of Kano State, where more and more advanced schools had been built in search of western education.

The largest and most prestigious school in Kano State was Abdullah Bayero College that has since been re-named Bayero University, Kano. The school has nurtured many students and scholars who made Kano what it is today.

Every area of ​​knowledge has its specialties, and people will rarely have experience in a variety of fields. For example, it can be difficult for someone who specialized in the area of health to be involved in the area of communications, or for someone who is studying political science to return to health.

However, there are certain categories of people upon whom God has bestowed unique abilities, which made them different from their peers and contemporaries.  There are not many such people, and even if you find them, it is mostly in countries that are advanced in terms of their education and economic growths. Their research in different fields often allows them to be unlike other people.

Kano State, as I mentioned earlier, used to be one of the least considered cities in the world as regards the number of people with a high level of Western education. However, after discovering the benefits of it, there are many gifted individuals with an extensive background in research such as Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu.

Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu (born 25th April 1956 in Daneji, Kano city), in his story, as told by all those who had grown up with him, friends and relatives, testified that since childhood, he has been passionate about research different areas of knowledge.

 

His father, the late KANTOMA of Kano state, Dr. Muhammadu Uba Adamu, was a renowned scholar through whose guidance and inspiration, Prof. Abdallah began his research, which later earned him the respect of being a full-blown researcher in different areas of knowledge.

After graduating from primary and secondary schools, he decided to study medicine but failed to secure admission to the university of his choice, which later forced him to go for a B.Sc. in Education, Biology, and Physiology in 1979 at Ahmadu Bello University.

 

He did his National Service at a high school in Umoarkrika, Imo State, before he proceeded to Chelsea College, the University of London where he earned a Master of Arts in Science Education in 1983. He earned his doctorate from the University of Sussex in 1988 under the sponsorship of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

 

He started teaching as an assistant graduate at Bayero University, Kano in 1980. He re-invested himself in the field of research, which led to him becoming a Professor in Science Education in 1997 and also the youngest Professor in Bayero University at the time.

 

Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu,  presented his Professorial Inaugural Lecture in 2004, entitled ‘Sunset at Dawn, and Darkness at Noon: Reconstructing the Mechanisms of Literacy in Indigenous Communities’ in which he explored the use of Arabic alphabet as Hausa language literary devices in Ajami writings.

He proposed what he called ‘Ajamisation of Knowledge’ as an alternative educational strategy, for millions of Qur’anic school pupils to acquire contemporary education in a literary script they know, rather than the Latin alphabet.

Professor Adamu was a Fulbright African Senior Research Scholar at the Centre for Studies in Higher Education, the University of California, Berkeley from 1991 to 1992. While there, he wrote a monograph, Reform and Adaptation in Nigerian University Curricula, published by The Edwin Mellen Press, New  York, in 1994, which explores the transfer of educational influence and structures from the United States to Nigeria, and the substitution of the British educational system in Nigeria in the process.

Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu commissioned lectures at Rutgers State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick (2015); the University of Warsaw, Poland (2012); Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures; Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland (2012); University of Florida  (2010), University of Basel, Switzerland (2009); Barnard College, Columbia University, New York (2007); School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London (2006); and Institute of Afrinkanistic, University of Cologne, Germany (2004).

Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu started his study in Media after the emergence of the film industry in Kano State in the 90s. From that time on, his focus shifted from Education to Communication.  He earned his second professorship in media and cultural communication in 2012, from the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano.

 

In addition to his first degree in Science Education from the Faculty of Education. Prof.  Abdallah Uba Adamu is the first Nigerian to hold a dual professorship in two very different disciplines. He has over 117 publications, most of which were published outside the country.

 

He had also attended and presented papers in more than 200 conferences and workshops. In fact, he is scheduled for another workshop at the University of Florida in October 2020. He is the only few academics willing to tell the world about the intellectual output through his own independent website at www.auadamu.com.

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In the knowledge of computers, Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu is said to be among the first few people with a vast knowledge of computers at Bayero University, Kano. He was the first person to bring the computer PC 1512 to Kano State in 1988 before the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Mansur Mukthar, became the second person to bring it to Kano.

 

With the introduction of the internet, he was the first person to type Hausa words into a computer with a hooked top showing the change of meaning from one word to another.

Professor Pakistan charges Muslim women on decency

He served also as Director of Management Information System (MIS) at Bayero University, Kano. Although Professor Abdallah has never studied Hausa as a course, his deep knowledge of Hausa literature has led many to wonder whether Hausa was his area of specialization.

Prof. Adamu’s vast knowledge of Geography and Public Administrations made him stand out among the rest. In the entertainment industry, Professor Abdallah excelled in the field of Hausa Rap, which led to the formation of a musical concert during the British Council era in Kano State.

The Government of President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu as the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria due to his expertise and research. He assumed office in February 2016 and will leave on 10th February 2020, almost six months from now.

His arrival was imminent, and he saw that the university itself was not considered as the national university but rather a regional university.

His first move was to nationalize it by ensuring that all the six principal officers of the university come from the six geopolitical zones of the country. This is the only university with this administrative structure.

He immediately began a plan to ensure that the Headquarters of the university relocated from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, despite the threats and challenges he faced.

 

Without hesitation, he began expanding the new headquarters of the university in Abuja, and in a short period moved from Lagos to Abuja.

He also stopped the outsourcing of students’ portal and facilitation to third party companies and created Directorates in the university that handled all these functions, saving the government a huge sum of money. Here are a few of the achievements so far made by professor Abdallah Uba Adamu as the vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN):

  1. From the very beginning, the first step he made was ensuring the relocation of the university headquarters from Lagos State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
  2. He has built numerous study centers across Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country. He encouraged politicians to use their constituency projects to build the centers. Due to his persuasion, about 18 were built in Kano, 15 by Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril in his Senatorial District, two by Honourable Aminu Suleiman in Fagge and Kwaciri, and the biggest and most impressive of all, the one by Honourable Mustapha Bala Mai Gidan Ruwa at Dawakin Kudu. This last one is the biggest and most comprehensive in Nigeria. In fact, it is better than many universities, yet it is only a study center. Other places he fought for study centers include Katsina, Jigawa, Delta, Ondo, and the Edo States.
  3. Abdallah has worked hard to employ many young people at the university under the Employment Act, and with the permission of the legal organs of the Government, and many young Nigerians have been employed in different capacities at the university, particularly in Computer Science. This was before IPPIS stopped employment.
  4. He re-built the University’s FM station in Lagos for the university to broadcast programs like any other FM stations in the country.
  5. Before becoming the VC, all students’ books and materials were produced from outside the university, which cost a large amount of money. However, he later built a university printing press that would provide all the basic things that university students need, which saves the government a lot of money.
  6. He has improved the school’s internet system so that students can read and research information on various subjects easily. During the Pandemic lockdown, NOUN was the only university conducting an online Pen-on-Paper examination using Artificial Intelligence software that detects cheatings. The students did the examinations at home without going to any Study Center.
  7. Professor Abdallah found a Mosque at the National University Headquarters in Abuja already built by the contractors building the University. To show his liberal attitude when the Christian community asked for a place of worship, he allocated lands to Protestant and Catholics for them to build their Churches, but informed them that they have to source the money to build their worship places as it is not Government policy to build workshop places for either Muslims or Christians. Even the Mosque was built privately by a contractor without any Government funding.
  8. Thus one of his greatest efforts was to unite the staff of the university by working together without any discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity.
  9. He has worked tirelessly with other major universities in the world to improve the academic system at the university he leads.
  10. Abdallah built Media Centre for the University at its Jabi Headquarters in Abuja.

***

Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu is a philanthropist, a man of the masses, easy-going, man of his words because no matter what, he will not lie to you about something he cannot do just to impress you. Above all, he is incorruptible. In the use of language, both Hausa and English, you can say he is an orator. When he speaks in the Hausa language, you would assume he cannot speak the English language at all, but when he addresses you in the English language, you would think Professor Abdallah is an English man.

He was crowned NZE OKAA OMEE, a traditional title in the Awene Ezema Olo Kingdom of Ezeagu LGAEnugu state. Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu will complete his term as vice-chancellor on 10th February 2021 and return to Bayero University Kano and resume duties on 1st March 2021.

He has one wife and four children and says he is not ready to marry another wife as the one he has, whom he married in 1987 as his first and last wife, is more than four wives. His children are all grown up, except the youngest who is 13 years. One is a married computer programmer, another Barrister who lives outside the country with her family,  and the only male is a Businessman.

 

Hassan Auwalu Muhammad is a student of Journalism at Faculty of Communication, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.

m.shareef1980@gmail.com

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Features

Why I want To Rewrite Kannywood’s Playbook – Dan Hausa

Published

4 months ago

on

August 28, 2025

By

Kamilu Danhausa

 

By Saif Ibrahim, Kano

Who is Dan Hausa?

I am Kamilu Ibrahim born 31 years ago, but most people know me as Dan Hausa. I was born in Fagge, Kano State, and from the very beginning I knew I wanted to tell stories that reflect the realities of my people. I trained at the High Definition Film Academy in Abuja, SAE Institute, and also took part in the U.S. Embassy’s Filmmaking for Impact program. I join the fikm making industry and started directing in 2017 because I wanted full control over how my stories are told.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into film directing?

My journey began with a love for storytelling—I started as a scriptwriter, then worked closely with experienced filmmakers before directing my first film. Over the years, I’ve learned that directing isn’t just about cameras and lights, but about understanding people, culture, and the power of narrative.

Growing up, I saw how films could educate and inspire people. In Arewa, cinema is more than entertainment—it’s a mirror of society. I wanted to use that mirror to reflect our values, challenges, and hopes. That desire to make meaningful films pushed me into directing.

What sets your work apart in today’s Kannywood?

For me, it’s about merging modern cinematic techniques with our Hausa cultural identity. I love bold visuals and tight storytelling, but I never want to lose that traditional heartbeat of my origin. My goal has always been to raise our production quality to international standards while staying true to our roots”, proof of that is clear in my current and biggest project, “Wata Shida.

How would you describe your directing style?

I like to call my style “realism with purpose.” I focus on authenticity—every scene, every performance, every frame must feel true to life. But I also ensure that there’s always a message, something the audience can take home and reflect on.

Can you highlight some of your notable works?

Sure, there is Wata Shida which is currently airing and has an overwhelming response from the public and the likes of Lulu Da Andalu a myth-inspired adventure series showing on AREWA24 and YouTube. YouTube pushed us to think bigger in terms of story and production. Mijin Hajiya earned me Best Director at the 2024 Kano Entertainment Awards, while Tataburza made waves at film festivals. Earlier films like Bakon Yanayi (2019) and my debut Kulba Na Barna (2017) helped me define my style. My latest project, Amaryar Lalle, starring Rahama Sadau, premieres August 2025 on Sadau Pictures TV. Each project is a step forward in showing what Kannywood can achieve.

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What awards and recognitions have you earned?

I have also been recognized by the Arewa5050 Awards and Kaduna International Film Festival (KIFF) for Lulu Da Andalu, which even won Best Indigenous Hausa Film. There’s also an AMVCA nomination for best Africanindigenous language , which is exciting because it means Hausa stories are getting wider attention.”

Who are your key collaborators?

Filmmaking is teamwork; TY Shaba has been a creative partner on several projects, especially on Lulu Da Andalu. I have WORKED with Rahama Sadau on Amaryar Lalle has been fantastic; she brings so much energy to the screen.”

What themes do you explore in your films?

I like telling stories where modern life clashes with traditional values—family conflict, cultural identity, gender roles. These are real issues in our society, and I try to explore them honestly but cinematically. I believe film should make people feel and also think.”

What is your next project?

I am working on Wata Shida Season 2, a story about a woman who enters a six-month sham marriage to protect her inheritance. It’s socially meaningful but also very entertaining. I will also continue with season 2 of “Amaryar Lalle.”

Can you tell us a little about your latest project?

This project is very close to my heart. It follows a young girl fighting to get an education in a society full of obstacles. Through her eyes, we see how family, tradition, and resilience collide, and how hope can survive even in the harshest situations.”

What inspired you to make this story?

Growing up, I saw so many bright young girls whose dreams were cut short just because they were girls. I felt a responsibility to tell this story—not as fiction, but as a mirror of what is happening around us.

How do you balance tradition and modernity in your work?

A: It’s about respect. I respect our traditions, but I also embrace new technology and ideas. In my films, I make sure traditional values are represented truthfully, while using modern techniques to improve production quality.

 

What challenges do you face as a director in Kannywood?

Budgets are often limited, and resources can be scarce. But the biggest challenge is sometimes societal misunderstanding of what we do as filmmakers. People forget that film is also an art form and a tool for change, not just entertainment.

Can you tell us your favourite project

Every project has its own special memory, but I’m proudest when a film sparks conversation or impacts people’s lives. For example, one of my recent films about youth unemployment led to community discussions and even small initiatives to help young people. That’s when I feel film is doing its job.

What advice would you give to aspiring directors?

Learn the craft—don’t rush. Watch films, study scripts, spend time on set even if it’s just to observe. Most importantly, stay humble and focused. Filmmaking is about patience, teamwork, and vision.

What should audiences expect from your upcoming projects?

Expect more powerful stories rooted in our culture, with better technical quality. I’m working on projects that tackle real societal issues, and I believe they’ll resonate with audiences not just in Arewa, but globally.

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Features

Antenatal Care: Why some women misses several sessions

Published

4 months ago

on

August 18, 2025

By

 

 

By Aisha Muhammad Rabiu

 

In many parts of Northern Nigeria, antenatal care is a vital step in ensuring the health of both mother and the unborn child. Yet, an increasing number of women are neglecting this crucial stage of pregnancy, putting themselves and their babies at serious risk, hence the high infant, mother mortality rate.

 

Health experts have been warning that antenatal visits help detect pregnancy complications at its early stage, provide essential supplements for healthy mother/child development, and educate mothers on safe delivery practices. But for some women, they find antenatal care as a burden either due to poverty or lack of awareness based on cultural practices and beliefs. As such antenatal remains a neglected priority.

 

 

In Kadawa, Fatima Sani, a 28-year-old expectant mother, admits she has not attended a single session of antenatal since the start of her pregnancy. she said “It’s not that I don’t want to go, but the clinic is far from my house, and my husband says we should save the transport money for delivery day. I just pray Allah protects me and my baby.”

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From Dan Bare, Shago Tara precisely, Khairat a mother of 4 shares her reasons for not attending antenatal session even though she is fully aware that the session is very important to pregnant women. She said “I feel healthy, so I don’t see the need to go for antenatal. My mother gave birth to all her children at home without any clinic visits, and they all survived.”

 

In Rijiyar Zaki, Hadiza Mukhtar recalls her previous pregnancy, where she skipped antenatal visits entirely. “The nurses were rude to me when I first went. I decided I would not return. This pregnancy, I haven’t gone at all,” she confesses.

 

For Usaina Muhammad of Kurna, the problem is financial. “I can’t afford the registration fee, and I also have other children to feed. I know antenatal is important, but survival comes first.”

 

Meanwhile, Maryam Lawan of Layi Kaji reveals that misinformation has influenced her decision. “Someone told me that the iron tablets they give at the clinic make the babies grow too big, making delivery harder. So, I decided to avoid it altogether.”

 

Medical professionals emphasize that skipping antenatal care increases the risk of complications such as anemia, high blood pressure, infections, and even maternal or infant death. Dr. Ibrahim Musa, a gynecologist in Kano, warns: “We see many emergencies that could have been avoided if the mother had attended antenatal. Most of these cases arrive late, making it harder for the doctors to save lives.”

 

Experts and community leaders agree that raising awareness is key in addressing the matter. Antenatal care should be made more affordable, accessible, and culturally acceptable for all women. Religious leaders, health workers, and family members all have a role to play in encouraging expectant mothers to attend regular check-ups.

 

Neglecting antenatal care is not just a personal choice; it’s a public health concern that affects families, communities, and the future of the nation. Ensuring that every mother has the knowledge, resources, and support to seek antenatal care is a step toward a healthier society.

 

Aisha Muhammad Rabiu writes from Bayero University Kano (BUK) and she can be reached at Email: aishatama2020@gmail.com

Phone no.08084273341

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Features

Rano’s Peaceful Legacy: More Than a Slogan, One Tragedy Won’t Define Us

Published

7 months ago

on

May 29, 2025

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For decades, Rano Garin Autan Bawo has proudly stood as a symbol of peace and harmony in Kano State. It is a place where neighbors look out for one another, where disputes are settled through dialogue, and where diversity is met with respect—not resentment. In Rano, peace is not just a slogan—it is a way of life passed down through generations.

The tragic incident that recently occurred at the Divisional Police Station in Rano Local Government has deeply shaken our community. Known for generations as one of the most peaceful and united areas in Nigeria, Rano now faces the painful reality of an attack that led to the death of a Divisional Police Officer and the destruction of police property. This senseless act of violence goes against everything our community stands for and must not be seen as a reflection of who we are.

Rano has long been recognized for its peaceful spirit, tolerance, and respect for all. People from different backgrounds, religions, and cultures have lived side by side here in harmony. This didn’t happen by chance—it is the result of years of effort by our leaders, religious figures, and ordinary citizens who believe that our strength lies in our unity and diversity.

Our respect for law and order is deep-rooted. We understand the crucial role that security personnel play in keeping our community safe. The people of Rano have always appreciated the risks and sacrifices made by the police, military, and other agencies to protect lives and property.

Respect for the law here is not just about obeying rules—it’s about a shared belief in justice, fairness, and solving problems peacefully and legally. This belief has helped build a respectful and cooperative relationship between the police and the people.

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What happened at the police station is completely out of character for our community. The individuals who carried out this attack do not represent us. Their actions go against the values that have shaped Rano. We strongly condemn what they did and make it clear that their behavior does not reflect who we are.

The loss of the Divisional Police Officer is not just a blow to the Nigeria Police Force or the Kano State Police Command—it is a loss for all of us. He wasn’t just doing his job; he was part of our extended family. His death is an attack on the peace and security that we all hold dear.

We send our deepest condolences to his family. No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one in such a brutal way. Our thoughts are also with his colleagues in the police force, who have lost a brother and a friend.

We also stand with the Kano State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force as they face this heartbreaking loss. We understand how much this affects their morale, especially at a time when their work is more important than ever.

Destroying police buildings and equipment is not just an attack on law enforcement—it’s an attack on the very system that helps keep us safe. These facilities belong to the people and serve the entire community. Damaging them harms everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us.

We urge the government and relevant authorities to investigate this incident fully and fairly. Those responsible must be held accountable. Justice must be swift and uncompromised. Our community deserves to see the law upheld and the wrongdoers brought to book.

To our young people—the future of Rano—we ask for calm and reflection. We know that you may be frustrated or angry about many issues. But violence is never the answer. Taking the law into your own hands only brings more pain and setbacks for everyone.

Instead, we encourage our youth to focus on positive, constructive paths. There are peaceful, legal ways to raise your voices and push for change. Use those channels. Help move our community forward.

Rano must now focus on healing, rebuilding trust, and recommitting to the peaceful values that have always defined us. We must come together—young and old, leaders and citizens—to ensure that such violence never happens again.

We call on traditional leaders, religious figures, community elders, youth leaders, and all residents to stand united in promoting peace and respect for the law. Let’s strengthen our partnership with security agencies and support their efforts to keep us safe, while also holding them accountable to serve with respect and dignity.

How we respond to this tragedy will shape our future. Let us choose unity over division, peace over violence, and hope over despair. The actions of a few will not define us. We will protect the legacy of peace that Rano is known for and continue working together for a better tomorrow.

Buhari Abba wrote this piece from Unguwar Liman Rano.

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