In a decisive move to enhance governance and improve service delivery, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed five commissioners from his cabinet and nominated replacements.
The development was announced in a press statement on Tuesday by Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor. According to the statement, the reshuffle reflects the administration’s commitment to injecting fresh ideas and energy into governance to tackle emerging challenges effectively.
The commissioners affected by the shake-up included Commissioner of Education Jamila Dahiru, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abdulhameed Bununu, Commissioner of Information and Communication Usman Danturaki, Commissioner of Agriculture, Madugu Yalams and Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Yakubu Ibrahim –

Governor Mohammed expressed gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their dedication and contributions to advancing key policies and initiatives of his administration.
He commended their efforts in promoting growth and development across the state.
In a bid to maintain momentum, the governor has submitted the names of eight nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners.
The nominees are:
Babayo Tilde – Toro Local Government
Abdullahi Mohammed – Misau Local Government
Bala Lukshi – Dass Local Government
Usman Shehu – Shira Local Government
Iliyasu Gital – Tafawa Balewa Local Government
Titus Ketkukah – Tafawa Balewa Local Government
Babayo Gabarin – Darazo Local Government
Lawal Rimin Zayam – Toro Local Government
Gidado emphasized that the reshuffle aligns with the governor’s vision of strengthening the machinery of government to deliver impactful development and improve the welfare of all citizens.
Governor Mohammed reassured the people of Bauchi State that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its mandate and sustaining developmental progress through innovative and people-centered governance.

By Lamara Garba

In a heartwarming and historic milestone, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has promoted a couple to the rank of professor, marking a rare and remarkable achievement in academia.

Prof. Suleiman Mainasara Yar’adua and his wife, Aisha Haruna, were both elevated to professorial ranks in their respective fields—Development Communication and Public Law—on the same day. This achievement comes after 24 years of marriage and dedicated service to the university.

Their simultaneous promotion is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and passion for academic excellence. It is not only a milestone in their individual careers but also a celebration of their partnership and commitment to each other.

The university community is thrilled to celebrate this rare feat, hailing it as a double celebration.

Prof. Yar’adua, a renowned expert in Development Communication, has made significant contributions to the field through his research and publications. His wife, Aisha, a distinguished scholar in Law, has also made notable contributions, particularly in the areas of human rights and gender studies.

Their academic endeavors have enriched the university and positively impacted the broader academic community.

The couple’s achievement exemplifies BUK’s commitment to academic excellence and its support for faculty development. The university, known for fostering a culture of scholarship, has once again proven its success in nurturing and recognizing outstanding academics.

As they celebrate their achievement, Prof. Yar’adua and his wife serve as an inspiration to their colleagues, students, and the wider academic community. Their dedication to their fields and partnership offers a model for aspiring scholars and couples alike.

The university community has congratulated the couple, commending their hard work, passion, and dedication to academic excellence. Their joint promotion is a celebration of their contributions to the university and the academic world.

Looking ahead, Prof. Yar’adua and his wife are committed to making further contributions to their fields and the university community. Their promotion is a testament to the power of partnership, commitment, and hard work, serving as an inspiration to all who aspire to academic excellence.

Speaking to BUK Bulletin, the Yar’aduas expressed their excitement, noting that their simultaneous promotion would inspire them to deepen their commitment to the university. They also highlighted the uniqueness of being the first couple in recent times to attain professorial ranks on the same day at this prestigious institution.

It was a day of intellectual engagement as Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Bayero University, Kano delivered a compelling Professorial Inaugural Lecture titled “Economic Progress on a Tightrope.”
The lecture, which marked the 51st in the series, was held on Thursday, 19th December 2024, at the Convocation Arena and attracted a large and diverse audience. It served as a call to critically examine Nigeria’s economic trajectory and chart a more sustainable and inclusive path to growth.

Professor Tsauni, a distinguished economist and scholar, attributed Nigeria’s underdevelopment to an overreliance on Western-inspired economic reforms, specifically the “Washington Consensus” model. He argued that Nigeria, like many low-income economies, depends heavily on developed nations for development models, technological expertise, and innovative ideas to drive growth. Consequently, Nigeria adopted the Washington Consensus, a set of free-market economic principles, as the foundation for economic reforms.

Explaining the framework, Professor Tsauni outlined its key pillars, including fiscal discipline, public expenditure reform, tax restructuring, financial liberalization, competitive exchange rates, and trade liberalization. Other components include eliminating barriers to foreign investment, privatizing state-owned enterprises, deregulating markets, and securing property rights—all rooted in neoclassical economic theories advocating minimal government intervention.
However, Professor Tsauni contended that these principles have proven unsuitable for Nigeria’s socio-economic and political realities. He highlighted how several Asian economies, such as China, India, Malaysia, and Singapore, deviated from the Washington Consensus and implemented customized reforms that fueled their rapid economic growth.
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s adherence to the Consensus framework through numerous reforms over the decades, the country continues to experience sluggish growth. He argued that Nigeria must abandon this outdated model, as other successful nations have done, and develop economic strategies tailored to its unique challenges and opportunities.

The scholar further identified factors impeding Nigeria’s economic progress, including rent-seeking behavior, weak political systems, knowledge gaps, macroeconomic instability, infrastructure deficits, corruption, policy inconsistencies, and a lack of adherence to the rule of law. According to him, these issues create an unfavorable business environment, stifle innovation, and perpetuate poverty.

Despite painting a sobering picture, Professor Tsauni expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to reverse its fortunes.
He proposed a shift in approach by adopting an economic model aligned with Nigeria’s peculiarities.
This, he noted, would require bold reforms such as enhancing capital formation and infrastructure development, promoting exports of manufactured goods and broadening access to quality education
Other bold necessary reforms included fostering entrepreneurship in semi-urban and rural areas, strengthening the informal sector to boost employment, addressing the energy crisis and ensuring policy stability and consistency
Professor Tsauni emphasized the importance of developing a homegrown economic framework that reflects Nigeria’s cultural, social, and economic context. He stressed the need to invest in human capital, promote innovation, and uphold transparency and accountability.
“No economic model can succeed without addressing indiscipline, corruption, vested interests, economic sabotage, leakages, and a lack of patriotism,” he asserted, regretting that such negative tendencies characterize many in leadership positions.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, who chaired the occasion, underscored the significance of inaugural lectures as platforms for addressing societal challenges. He urged other professors yet to deliver their lectures to expedite the process, assuring them of the university’s financial support.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Professorial Lecture Committee, Professor Ibrahim Isa, explained the delay in hosting inaugural lectures over the past three years. He revealed that over 300 professors are yet to deliver their inaugural lectures, emphasizing the need to clear the backlog.
Professor Tsauni’s lecture stood out for its analytical depth and practical recommendations, offering a roadmap for Nigeria to break free from economic stagnation and build a prosperous future.