Deep Thought

 Kano Family Killing: Nigerian Youths and Collective Responsibilities By Prof. MK Othman Over the past six years, I have written extensively about Nigerian youth and their future, including articles highlighting the risks of neglecting our youth. Despite repeated warnings, the situation continues to decline. At the heart of this crisis is the undeniable fact: the trajectory of our nation depends on how we prepare, empower, and guide our young people. Their current condition is not merely a youth issue but a direct reflection of our societal priorities and collective responsibility. Entering 2026, Nigerians face mounting socioeconomic challenges. Recently, a senseless daylight killing occurred in Chiranchi, Kano: a mother and her six children were murdered by youth. The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, condemned the act as barbaric and unacceptable, ordering a manhunt. He stated, “The killing of a mother and her innocent children is barbaric, senseless, and a grave assault on ...

 Yayale’s Tribute: The Long and Thorny Road to University Stability By Prof MK Othman In my November 2024 article, I posed the question of whether Alhaji Yayale’s name would be written in gold for accepting two of the most unenviable assignments in Nigeria’s public policy space—leading the government delegation to resolve the over-decade-long FGN-ASUU crisis and serving as the pro-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Governing Council. It is on record that, some years ago, key personalities who held the same jobs at different times did not finish without denting their credibility, either because they were unable to meet the expectations of their principals or because stakeholders were dissatisfied. Both jobs were herculean, arduous, and frustrating, requiring skillful technocrats with impeccable character with ability to squeeze water out of stone. With the benefit of hindsight, the answer to my poser is more affirmative than cautious: Yayale Ahmed became the squar...

 Re: Whither the Nigerian University System? III By Re: Whither the Nigerian University System? III By Prof MK Othman Given the dispute resolution brokered by the indefatigable Yayale Ahmed committee, with the strong support and determination of the President Tinubu administration to end perennial university workers' industrial action, 2026 is the year of dream-realization for university workers in Nigeria. Earlier, the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a Federal Government initiative, proved to be a strong tool for making tertiary education accessible to the majority of indigent students through a soft loan facility. NELFUND is more than a financial aid program; it is a beacon of hope for Nigerian students pursuing higher education. Salute to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for enduring the struggle to achieve lofty gains and secure for university lecturers their due recognition – university autonomy, enhanced salaries, and allowances. Salute to the Minister ...

 SAA-IsDB-KSADP Agricultural Model: Scalable Pathway to Food Security? By Prof MK Othman A most heartwarming experience is commencing a well-planned project and concluding it most imaginatively, with a scoreboard showing that the target was exceeded in multiple ways. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed the launch of the Sasakawa Africa Association- Islamic Development Bank – Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (SAA-IsDB-KSADP) in Kano. On December 20, 2025, I was also among the key witnesses at the close-out workshop, which marked the project's conclusion. Beneficiaries and other key stakeholders celebrated the project's achievements in combating poverty and advancing food security across sizable communities in the 44 local government areas of Kano State. The SAA-IsDB-KSADP model was not only a promising agricultural project but also demonstrated scalability, replicability, and sustainability. During the five years of its implementation, smallholder farm...