By Abdulrashid Garba
Vice-Chancellor’s Address Presented at a Colloquium, Conference and Book Presentation Organised by Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano (KHAIRUN), in Honour of Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano 18–19 August 2026
PREAMBLE On behalf of the University Senate, Management, staff and students of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano (KHAIRUN), I extend my warmest welcome to our highly revered guests to this two-day academic colloquium—the first of its kind in the history of this University.
The Colloquium, with the theme “Transformative Science and Technology Education for Sustainable Development,” is organised in honour of the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and is specifically designed to commemorate his first year in office as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.As a matter of tradition, every major occasion taking place in a university is, essentially, an academic occasion.
It is for this reason that the Colloquium is preceded by a Conference at which experts, scholars, researchers and students have the opportunity to present the outcomes of their research, deliberate on transformative Science and Technology education, and examine its contributions to sustainable development.
Today’s opening ceremony will feature, among other activities, the conferment of honours and awards on Bayero University, Kano, and its Vice-Chancellor, as well as the presentation of a book. It is particularly noteworthy that the idea for this book was conceived at BUK and brought to fruition here at KHAIRUN—a clear demonstration of a daughter institution following in the footsteps of her mother and mentor.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE COLLOQUIUM, CONFERENCE AND BOOK PRESENTATION There are three closely related objectives underlying this Colloquium.First, it is a celebration of the first year in office of Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and, by extension, a celebration of an icon of academic progress.
His first twelve months in office have witnessed focused efforts in academic development, staff welfare initiatives, student-centred support services and an increased drive towards internationalization. These developments are worthy of recognition and celebration.Second, the occasion is a celebration of a Mentor by the Mentees, in recognition of BUK’s role in the establishment and development of KHAIRUN and, more broadly, its contributions to the growth of universities in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
Many universities in Kano and neighbouring states have, at different stages of their development, benefited from the academic, administrative and institutional guidance of Bayero University, Kano.
This tradition of sacrificial and benevolent mentorship is indeed worthy of celebration.Third, the Colloquium seeks to address emerging theoretical and practical advances in, and transformations of, sustainable development, with particular reference to Science and Technology Education.
Transformative Science and Technology Education is regarded as a catalyst for personal, societal and environmental transformation. Universities have a critical role to play in this regard by producing informed and responsible citizens and generating research and policy solutions to contemporary challenges.
TRANSITION FROM IDEATIONAL LEVEL TO SELF-ACTUALISATION: BUK’S ROLES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF KHAIRUN
By Abdulrashid Garba
Vice-Chancellor’s Address Presented at a Colloquium, Conference and Book Presentation Organised by Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano (KHAIRUN), in Honour of Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano 18–19 August 2026
PREAMBLE On behalf of the University Senate, Management, staff and students of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano (KHAIRUN), I extend my warmest welcome to our highly revered guests to this two-day academic colloquium—the first of its kind in the history of this University.The Colloquium, with the theme “Transformative Science and Technology Education for Sustainable Development,” is organised in honour of the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and is specifically designed to commemorate his first year in office as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.As a matter of tradition, every major occasion taking place in a university is, essentially, an academic occasion. It is for this reason that the Colloquium is preceded by a Conference at which experts, scholars, researchers and students have the opportunity to present the outcomes of their research, deliberate on transformative Science and Technology education, and examine its contributions to sustainable development.Today’s opening ceremony will feature, among other activities, the conferment of honours and awards on Bayero University, Kano, and its Vice-Chancellor, as well as the presentation of a book. It is particularly noteworthy that the idea for this book was conceived at BUK and brought to fruition here at KHAIRUN—a clear demonstration of a daughter institution following in the footsteps of her mother and mentor.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE COLLOQUIUM, CONFERENCE AND BOOK PRESENTATION There are three closely related objectives underlying this Colloquium.First, it is a celebration of the first year in office of Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and, by extension, a celebration of an icon of academic progress. His first twelve months in office have witnessed focused efforts in academic development, staff welfare initiatives, student-centred support services and an increased drive towards internationalization. These developments are worthy of recognition and celebration.Second, the occasion is a celebration of a Mentor by the Mentees, in recognition of BUK’s role in the establishment and development of KHAIRUN and, more broadly, its contributions to the growth of universities in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States. Many universities in Kano and neighbouring states have, at different stages of their development, benefited from the academic, administrative and institutional guidance of Bayero University, Kano. This tradition of sacrificial and benevolent mentorship is indeed worthy of celebration.Third, the Colloquium seeks to address emerging theoretical and practical advances in, and transformations of, sustainable development, with particular reference to Science and Technology Education. Transformative Science and Technology Education is regarded as a catalyst for personal, societal and environmental transformation. Universities have a critical role to play in this regard by producing informed and responsible citizens and generating research and policy solutions to contemporary challenges.KHAIRUN: THE CONCLUDING PART OF KHALIFA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We cannot begin the story of KHAIRUN without acknowledging the Founder, Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu, of blessed memory (Khadimul Qur’an). It is therefore pertinent to begin our account of the Khalifa’s contribution to educational development by acknowledging his establishment of schools of various kinds at the lower levels of education. He subsequently brought this educational journey to its logical culmination with the establishment of KHAIRUN. Today, KHAIRUN is a science-based university with sixteen programmes, three Faculties, thirteen academic Departments and three research centres.It is a journey that has received the warm embrace of the Proprietors of the University, which is the family of the Late Khalifa, with their show of care and concern to the needs of the University. The University has also witnessed the fatherly and intellectual guidance of both the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Governing Council. We are also enjoying tremendous cooperation from our highly enthusiastic teaching and non-teaching staff.Our students are being groomed to appreciate peace, demonstrate good conduct and pursue worthwhile academic accomplishments. In promoting inclusivity and responsible student participation, we have established a Students Consultative Forum, which, among other functions, assists in resolving conflicts through dialogue, preventing campus violence and promoting compliance with University rules. We have also established other platforms designed to facilitate socialisation and enhance academic comfort on campus, including the Students’ Academic Forum, Social Media Vanguards, and KHAIRUN ASR-Scholars.KHAIRUN is also blessed with a crop of highly respected Professors and senior academics who constitute the principal drivers of its academic development. Through our three research centres, our academic staff are advancing original research, mentoring emerging scholars and upholding high standards of teaching and scholarship. The academic leadership and mentorship provided by our Professors and senior academics are helping to shape our institutional growth and strengthen our position within the intellectual community.BAYER0 UNIVERSITY: THE MENTORING GEM, THE MENTOR AND THE LEADING Light this Colloquium provides us with a long-awaited opportunity to express our profound gratitude to this giant of African higher education—Bayero University, Kano, herein referred to as “Our Mentor.” BUK is not only a leading institution in innovation; it is also an important benchmark and pacesetter in higher education. Today, we celebrate a distinguished institution that has earned national and international recognition.According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking, as cited in our institutional presentation, Bayero University has achieved notable positions in global, national and regional standings. The University was ranked 1001 among the 1,200 universities covered in the cited global ranking; third among Nigerian universities, compared with fifth in 2025 and seventh in 2023; and as a leading university in Northern Nigeria.The contribution of BUK to KHAIRUN extends beyond rankings and institutional reputation. A substantial proportion of the academic and administrative human resources in KHAIRUN—and, perhaps, in many other private universities—have been drawn from the pool of expertise associated with Bayero University. This has been complemented by the guidance and institutional knowledge we have received, including assistance with academic and administrative documentation.Our hope and prayer is that the mentees will continue to grow in strength, stature and excellence, and one day attain—and perhaps surpass—the standards set by the Mentor.THE PERSON OF PROFESSOR HARUNA MUSA, fsi According to Bayero University, Kano’s official publications, Professor Haruna Musa became the University’s 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor on 18 August 2025. Within this relatively short period, he has recorded a number of notable institutional developments. His leadership has strengthened the strategic direction of the University, with emphasis on integrity and innovation. He has also placed considerable emphasis on staff welfare, capacity building and the creation of an enabling environment for effective staff performance.Furthermore, he has promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraged individual excellence and deepened community engagement. Drawing on his previous administrative experience as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), he has brought substantial experience in academic governance and university administration to his current responsibilities.Professor Haruna Musa’s emerging leadership record is characterized by strategic institutional repositioning, staff welfare, research and innovation, collaborative governance, academic excellence and stakeholder engagement. These attributes have contributed to growing institutional confidence and positive recognition among members of the BUK community.FROM IDEATIONAL LEVEL TO SELF-ACTUALISATIONKHAIRUN’s transition from the ideational level to the level of actualisation represents the strategic evolution of the University from its initial conceptual and infrastructural planning stages into a fully functional and operational institution of higher learning.The ideation phase began with the initial efforts to satisfy the terms, conditions and requirements for the issuance of an operational licence. KHAIRUN nurtured the original ideas, re-strategized its academic curricula, established administrative frameworks and secured the necessary national and professional regulatory approvals. The foundational ideation of KHAIRUN emerged through a process of sense-making in which different actors interpreted institutional goals, connected observations to those goals and constructed a shared narrative around why the KHAIRUN project needed to become a reality. In this context, early ideation was less about getting everything right immediately and more about developing a shared understanding among the project team and its stakeholders.Actualisation, on the other hand, requires the translation of intentions into operational systems, delivery mechanisms and measurable outcomes. This process began with the recruitment of academic staff, admission of students, activation of teaching and research facilities, and the systematic resolution of practical academic challenges, including the provision of conducive learning environments. The transition from ideation to actualisation therefore requires more than creativity or alignment with institutional mission. It requires an integrated system of framing, design, capabilities, resources, learning and legitimacy.MENTORSHIP OUTCOMES: SUSTAINING THE TEMPOOur transition from the initial level of ideation to actualisation was significantly guided by our Mentor University, Bayero University, Kano. We were guided to maintain focus on the critical threshold at which a working pilot is transformed into an institutionalized system.We have received valuable tutelage on how to build systems that can persist, grow and maintain quality. We were also assisted in institutionalizing formal governance structures, stable financing and accounting systems, standardised educational delivery processes, and mechanisms for building and maintaining credibility with external stakeholders. Through the credible mentorship of Bayero University, Kano, we have also been able to develop additional sustainable capabilities for income generation, with the expectation of gradually reducing dependence on Proprietor funding.As a result of this mentorship, we have established decision-making structures that align with national and other applicable legal frameworks. At the same time, while institutionalizing transparent reporting systems, the Proprietors have invested substantially in teaching and learning infrastructure. At KHAIRUN, quality assurance and monitoring are regarded not merely as instruments of compliance, but as essential tools for continuous institutional improvement.We have also developed strategic partnerships with universities, research centres and non-governmental organisations, both within and outside Nigeria. Our linkage and collaboration policy places particular emphasis on selecting partners according to implementation value, delivery capacity, access to staff and student beneficiaries, and operational complementarity.DRIVING QUALITY BEYOND THE Threshold it is a great pleasure, at this juncture, to inform our highly revered guests that, having evolved as an academically tutored, administratively groomed and professionally mentored University, we have commenced a determined journey towards achieving—and ultimately surpassing—the threshold of institutional excellence.With the divine guidance of Allah (SWT), we have concretized our three-year Strategic Plan (2025–2027), with specific and general programmes of activities, clearly defined goals and objectives, and established timelines. This represents the beginning of our journey towards becoming part of the global community of twenty-first-century universities. To surpass the existing threshold, we have renewed our commitment to innovations in teaching and learning, impactful research and international collaboration.In our aspiration to achieve recognition among the best universities of the twenty-first century, we recognize the increasingly competitive nature of the global higher education landscape. We see this as an opportunity to strengthen our international profile, gain recognition among leading universities worldwide, and attract high-quality international students, Professors and research partners. We have concluded arrangements to mobilize the financial and human resources required to invest in infrastructure, academic staff development and internationalization initiatives. We are equally conscious of the need to balance these investments with other institutional priorities.At KHAIRUN, we are adapting different working styles, academic cultures and administrative procedures to ensure that the University remains relevant, competitive and responsive within the changing landscape of higher education.CONCLUSIONWe recognize that exposure to international best practices can stimulate curriculum reform, introduce innovative teaching methods and support the establishment of more relevant and responsive academic programmes. We also recognise that our collaboration opportunities can stimulate research, high-impact scholarly publications, patents and technological advancements. We shall therefore continue our pursuit of excellence in order to strengthen and further develop a truly global-minded campus culture.The mentorship, guidance, sacrifices and institutional contributions that have brought KHAIRUN from the level of an idea to an operational and increasingly ambitious university will continue to inspire us. We remain committed to building upon this foundation, sustaining the tempo of institutional development, pursuing academic excellence, strengthening research and innovation, and positioning KHAIRUN as a university capable of making meaningful contributions to national and global development.Your Excellences, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to assure you that the mission of the Founder of KHAIRUN shall never be compromised; and the labours of Bayero University, Kano, shall never be in vain.May Allah (SWT) continue to guide and bless our efforts.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Abdulrashid Garba, PhDICASSON, FNAE, CPCN, FIPMD, FDFM, MNLA, MNIMVice-Chancellor
KHAIRUN: THE CONCLUDING PART OF KHALIFA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We cannot begin the story of KHAIRUN without acknowledging the Founder, Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu, of blessed memory (Khadimul Qur’an). It is therefore pertinent to begin our account of the Khalifa’s contribution to educational development by acknowledging his establishment of schools of various kinds at the lower levels of education. He subsequently brought this educational journey to its logical culmination with the establishment of KHAIRUN. Today, KHAIRUN is a science-based university with sixteen programmes, three Faculties, thirteen academic Departments and three research centres.It is a journey that has received the warm embrace of the Proprietors of the University, which is the family of the Late Khalifa, with their show of care and concern to the needs of the University. The University has also witnessed the fatherly and intellectual guidance of both the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Governing Council. We are also enjoying tremendous cooperation from our highly enthusiastic teaching and non-teaching staff.Our students are being groomed to appreciate peace, demonstrate good conduct and pursue worthwhile academic accomplishments. In promoting inclusivity and responsible student participation, we have established a Students Consultative Forum, which, among other functions, assists in resolving conflicts through dialogue, preventing campus violence and promoting compliance with University rules. We have also established other platforms designed to facilitate socialisation and enhance academic comfort on campus, including the Students’ Academic Forum, Social Media Vanguards, and KHAIRUN ASR-Scholars.KHAIRUN is also blessed with a crop of highly respected Professors and senior academics who constitute the principal drivers of its academic development. Through our three research centres, our academic staff are advancing original research, mentoring emerging scholars and upholding high standards of teaching and scholarship. The academic leadership and mentorship provided by our Professors and senior academics are helping to shape our institutional growth and strengthen our position within the intellectual community.BAYER0 UNIVERSITY: THE MENTORING GEM, THE MENTOR AND THE LEADING Light this Colloquium provides us with a long-awaited opportunity to express our profound gratitude to this giant of African higher education—Bayero University, Kano, herein referred to as “Our Mentor.” BUK is not only a leading institution in innovation; it is also an important benchmark and pacesetter in higher education. Today, we celebrate a distinguished institution that has earned national and international recognition.According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking, as cited in our institutional presentation, Bayero University has achieved notable positions in global, national and regional standings. The University was ranked 1001 among the 1,200 universities covered in the cited global ranking; third among Nigerian universities, compared with fifth in 2025 and seventh in 2023; and as a leading university in Northern Nigeria.The contribution of BUK to KHAIRUN extends beyond rankings and institutional reputation. A substantial proportion of the academic and administrative human resources in KHAIRUN—and, perhaps, in many other private universities—have been drawn from the pool of expertise associated with Bayero University. This has been complemented by the guidance and institutional knowledge we have received, including assistance with academic and administrative documentation.Our hope and prayer is that the mentees will continue to grow in strength, stature and excellence, and one day attain—and perhaps surpass—the standards set by the Mentor.THE PERSON OF PROFESSOR HARUNA MUSA, fsi According to Bayero University, Kano’s official publications, Professor Haruna Musa became the University’s 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor on 18 August 2025. Within this relatively short period, he has recorded a number of notable institutional developments. His leadership has strengthened the strategic direction of the University, with emphasis on integrity and innovation. He has also placed considerable emphasis on staff welfare, capacity building and the creation of an enabling environment for effective staff performance.Furthermore, he has promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraged individual excellence and deepened community engagement. Drawing on his previous administrative experience as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), he has brought substantial experience in academic governance and university administration to his current responsibilities.Professor Haruna Musa’s emerging leadership record is characterized by strategic institutional repositioning, staff welfare, research and innovation, collaborative governance, academic excellence and stakeholder engagement. These attributes have contributed to growing institutional confidence and positive recognition among members of the BUK community.FROM IDEATIONAL LEVEL TO SELF-ACTUALISATIONKHAIRUN’s transition from the ideational level to the level of actualisation represents the strategic evolution of the University from its initial conceptual and infrastructural planning stages into a fully functional and operational institution of higher learning.The ideation phase began with the initial efforts to satisfy the terms, conditions and requirements for the issuance of an operational licence. KHAIRUN nurtured the original ideas, re-strategized its academic curricula, established administrative frameworks and secured the necessary national and professional regulatory approvals. The foundational ideation of KHAIRUN emerged through a process of sense-making in which different actors interpreted institutional goals, connected observations to those goals and constructed a shared narrative around why the KHAIRUN project needed to become a reality. In this context, early ideation was less about getting everything right immediately and more about developing a shared understanding among the project team and its stakeholders.Actualisation, on the other hand, requires the translation of intentions into operational systems, delivery mechanisms and measurable outcomes. This process began with the recruitment of academic staff, admission of students, activation of teaching and research facilities, and the systematic resolution of practical academic challenges, including the provision of conducive learning environments. The transition from ideation to actualisation therefore requires more than creativity or alignment with institutional mission. It requires an integrated system of framing, design, capabilities, resources, learning and legitimacy.MENTORSHIP OUTCOMES: SUSTAINING THE TEMPOOur transition from the initial level of ideation to actualisation was significantly guided by our Mentor University, Bayero University, Kano. We were guided to maintain focus on the critical threshold at which a working pilot is transformed into an institutionalized system.We have received valuable tutelage on how to build systems that can persist, grow and maintain quality. We were also assisted in institutionalizing formal governance structures, stable financing and accounting systems, standardised educational delivery processes, and mechanisms for building and maintaining credibility with external stakeholders. Through the credible mentorship of Bayero University, Kano, we have also been able to develop additional sustainable capabilities for income generation, with the expectation of gradually reducing dependence on Proprietor funding.As a result of this mentorship, we have established decision-making structures that align with national and other applicable legal frameworks. At the same time, while institutionalizing transparent reporting systems, the Proprietors have invested substantially in teaching and learning infrastructure. At KHAIRUN, quality assurance and monitoring are regarded not merely as instruments of compliance, but as essential tools for continuous institutional improvement.We have also developed strategic partnerships with universities, research centres and non-governmental organisations, both within and outside Nigeria. Our linkage and collaboration policy places particular emphasis on selecting partners according to implementation value, delivery capacity, access to staff and student beneficiaries, and operational complementarity.DRIVING QUALITY BEYOND THE Threshold it is a great pleasure, at this juncture, to inform our highly revered guests that, having evolved as an academically tutored, administratively groomed and professionally mentored University, we have commenced a determined journey towards achieving—and ultimately surpassing—the threshold of institutional excellence.With the divine guidance of Allah (SWT), we have concretized our three-year Strategic Plan (2025–2027), with specific and general programmes of activities, clearly defined goals and objectives, and established timelines. This represents the beginning of our journey towards becoming part of the global community of twenty-first-century universities. To surpass the existing threshold, we have renewed our commitment to innovations in teaching and learning, impactful research and international collaboration.In our aspiration to achieve recognition among the best universities of the twenty-first century, we recognize the increasingly competitive nature of the global higher education landscape. We see this as an opportunity to strengthen our international profile, gain recognition among leading universities worldwide, and attract high-quality international students, Professors and research partners. We have concluded arrangements to mobilize the financial and human resources required to invest in infrastructure, academic staff development and internationalization initiatives. We are equally conscious of the need to balance these investments with other institutional priorities.At KHAIRUN, we are adapting different working styles, academic cultures and administrative procedures to ensure that the University remains relevant, competitive and responsive within the changing landscape of higher education.CONCLUSIONWe recognize that exposure to international best practices can stimulate curriculum reform, introduce innovative teaching methods and support the establishment of more relevant and responsive academic programmes. We also recognise that our collaboration opportunities can stimulate research, high-impact scholarly publications, patents and technological advancements. We shall therefore continue our pursuit of excellence in order to strengthen and further develop a truly global-minded campus culture.The mentorship, guidance, sacrifices and institutional contributions that have brought KHAIRUN from the level of an idea to an operational and increasingly ambitious university will continue to inspire us. We remain committed to building upon this foundation, sustaining the tempo of institutional development, pursuing academic excellence, strengthening research and innovation, and positioning KHAIRUN as a university capable of making meaningful contributions to national and global development.Your Excellences, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to assure you that the mission of the Founder of KHAIRUN shall never be compromised; and the labours of Bayero University, Kano, shall never be in vain.May Allah (SWT) continue to guide and bless our efforts.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Abdulrashid Garba, PhDICASSON, FNAE, CPCN, FIPMD, FDFM, MNLA, MNIMVice-Chancellor
