Whither the Nigerian University System? II By Prof MK Othman As mentioned in the first part of this piece, government officials and others questioning the university’s autonomy are either ignorant of the law or being mischievous. The university must be an autonomous system to fulfill its fundamental role in nation-building and to preserve the integrity…
Gen Musa – Minister of Defense: A round Peg in a round Hole? By Prof M. K. Othman Last week, the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR (Rtd) as the Minister of Defence by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the resignation of Alhaji Badaru, the former Defence Minister, was a crucial, honourable, and meritorious…
Notes on Visit to Saudi Arabia By Prof MK Othman To date, I have visited Saudi Arabia four times, beginning with my first trip in 2010 and twice this year, in March and November 2025. During each of my last three visits, I was consistently amazed and stunned by the incredible and supersonic level of…
Salamatu-WOFAN on Carbon Financing: Turning Adversity into Prosperity By Prof. M.K. Othman This is a follow-up to my article published on August 20th, 2025, with a slightly different title, “Salamatu-WOFAN on Climate Change: Turning Adversity into Prosperity,” featured in this column. WOFAN, under the ICON 2 project funded by the Mastercard Foundation, organized a high-level…
Nigeria @ 65: Nominations for National Awards to Unsung Heroes 2 By Prof MK Othman The unsung heroes working tirelessly to serve Nigeria with all their strength are present in every part of the country. Their contribution to nation-building depends on their capacity and resources. Still, the common thread among them is serving the nation…
Re: The Great ABU Zaria @63- Forward Ever 2 By Prof. MK Othman To ABU Alumni and friends, news about Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria — the great ABU — is always unfolding, as it sparks joyful memories among those united by intellectual pursuits and hopes for a bright future. My tribute to ABU Zaria received…
FGN-ASUU Imbroglio: Craving for Stakeholders’ Intervention By Prof. MK Othman Is the FGN-ASUU imbroglio back to square one? Yes, it is, facing more looming and devastating crises than in 2017, 2020, and 2022. The last time a salary package was granted to university workers was in 2009, following negotiations between unions and the Federal Government…
The Great ABU Zaria @63: Forward Ever 2 By Prof. MK Othman As mentioned in this column last week, no university in Nigeria has as many professors as ABU Zaria today. Certainly, ABU Zaria experienced significant intellectual growth as a hub of learning. Thanks to the tenurial progressiveness of Prof. Garba, who placed the university…
The Great ABU Zaria @63: Forward Ever By Prof. MK Othman Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, the first and last premier of Northern Nigeria, along with his cabinet members, were the founding fathers of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was not only a visionary leader and statesman but also a dedicated nationalist and patriotic enthusiast…
Readers’ Comments on GMO, Seed System, and Food Security By Prof MK Othman The controversy over GMOs persists; extensive written and oral comments reflect the sensitivity and concern about the food system, as it can promote healthy living or cause unexpected harm or even death. Food should matter to everyone regardless of class, culture, or…
