Author name: Umar Idris Shuaibu

The General Manager, Market Operations at the Nigerian Electricity Market, Ali Bukar Ahmad, has called on Nigerian engineers to harness the vast biomass resources in the Northwest, which account for over 80% of the region’s renewable energy potential. Speaking at the Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of late Engr. Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, Ahmad explained that biomass derived from agricultural residues, animal waste, and other organic matter, offers a sustainable and reliable alternative to fossil fuels. With the Northwest’s strong agricultural base, he noted, these resources are abundant, renewable, and capable of providing a consistent energy supply while reducing environmental pollution. “If properly harnessed, biomass could power rural communities, support agro-industries, and significantly cut dependency on costly fossil-based electricity,” he said. Ahmad urged the conduct of a comprehensive survey across Northwest states to identify the most viable biomass options for each location, stressing that such a targeted approach would maximise impact and ensure long-term sustainability. Read Also: Meet Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, NERC Chairman In his remarks, the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Okorie Austine Uchegusi, stressed the importance of appointing certified engineers to leadership positions in engineering-related agencies and parastatals. He argued that matching engineering responsibilities with the right expertise is vital to reversing persistent infrastructural failures and curbing unprofessional practices in project execution. “Putting certified COREN engineers at the helm of engineering institutions is one major step towards solving the problems of dilapidated infrastructure, recurring project failures, and lack of technical competence,” he stated. Prof. Uchegusi expressed concern over the increasing number of young Nigerian engineering graduates leaving for opportunities abroad due to limited recognition and lack of meaningful projects at home. “It is disheartening to see our young talents contributing to other nations’ development when their expertise is desperately needed here. If we continue to deny them opportunities, we are only pushing them further away,” he lamented. He pledged to restore the dignity and integrity of the profession, adding that recurring engineering disasters such as building collapses and frequent failures in the national grid could be drastically reduced if certified professionals were appointed to relevant positions. Delivering a virtual address, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support, strengthen, and champion engineering-driven development across the country. He emphasised that NASENI’s mandate goes beyond policy advocacy, encompassing direct intervention in research, technology deployment, and capacity building. According to him, the agency is committed to forging strategic partnerships with engineering institutions, state governments, and private investors to accelerate industrial growth, modernise infrastructure, and enhance Nigeria’s technological competitiveness. On his part, chairman of the Kabuga Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the annual remembrance was organised to celebrate the enduring legacy of late Engr. I.K Inuwa, whose vision and contributions continue to inspire the engineering profession in Nigeria. He noted that Inuwa’s leadership style, commitment to mentorship, and his advocacy for professional excellence set a benchmark for future generations. Prof. Abdullahi added that the Kabuga Branch remains committed to advancing the profession through regular training, collaborative research, and proactive community engagement values deeply rooted in the principles that Engr. Inuwa championed. His son, Umar Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, described him as a pioneer in engineering and human capital development. “This gathering reminds us to live a life of impact, so that one day, others will remember our contributions,” he said. The remembrance ceremony also saw the induction of 55 new engineers into the Kabuga Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, further strengthening the branch’s professional community and ensuring a continuous pipeline of skilled professionals committed to national development. Late Engr. Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, honoured at the event, was instrumental in establishing key engineering institutions during his lifetime, leaving a legacy that remains foundational to the advancement of engineering in Nigeria.

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration as Governor of Kano State (2015–2023) was defined by a series of rural-focused policies aimed at improving livelihoods in remote communities. These initiatives were tailored to address the needs of herders, farmers, and low-income populations who often suffer from limited access to infrastructure and basic amenities compared to the urban centers. From road construction to veterinary services, Ganduje’s government executed several projects that touched the heart of rural Kano. His administration prioritized rural development as a key factor in addressing the root causes of migration, insecurity, and economic stagnation in the countryside. Related: Unlike Others, Ganduje Completed All Projects Before His Exit One of the signature achievements was the establishment of 25 housing units for herders in Dansoshiya Forest, Kiru Local Government Area. The settlement included water facilities, a veterinary clinic, a school, and grazing reserves. The housing project, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira, was aimed at reducing the long-standing herder-farmer conflict and improving settlement patterns for nomadic populations. This was in addition to the annual cattle vaccination exercise popularly known as Huji, carried out throughout his administration to boost the herders’ economy and ensure healthy livestock for urban consumption. In education, Ganduje constructed over 3,000 classrooms and rehabilitated hundreds more in rural areas between 2015 and 2021. According to the Kano State Ministry of Education’s 2021 report, about N17 billion was allocated to education in the 2020 budget, with a large portion directed toward primary and secondary schools in local governments across Kano State. Read Also: Why Kano APC Backs Ganduje, Declares Him ‘Undisputed Leader’ of the Party The administration also paid attention to agricultural reforms. Through the Kano Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), Ganduje initiated large-scale rural empowerment programs. These included artificial insemination training for 60 herder youths (an initiative later reported to have faced bureaucratic implementation issues) and the establishment of milk collection centers. The KSADP alone had an estimated budget of $95 million, directly targeting over 200,000 farmers and herders. Road connectivity saw significant improvement. Rural roads linking agricultural zones to markets were constructed and some rehabilitated. For instance, feeder roads in Tudun Wada, Doguwa, and Gabasawa were part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which had both federal and state joint funding. In 2019 alone, the state government allocated over N10 billion to rural infrastructure development. The Ganduje-led government also introduced empowerment schemes such as the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, which included training in local crafts and provision of startup capital, especially for residents of remote LGAs like Makoda, Kunchi, and Sumaila. Over 50,000 beneficiaries reportedly received direct support through these schemes between 2017 and 2022. In health, primary healthcare centers in remote communities were rehabilitated and equipped, with the aim of achieving the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) goals. The 2022 budget allocated over N5 billion to rural health services, including the upgrade of PHCs in Bebeji, Warawa, and Rogo LGAs. Despite criticisms from opposition figures that some projects were politically motivated, performance indices drawn from state budget reviews, third-party audits, and community testimonies suggest tangible impacts. Dr. Ganduje’s policies toward rural Kano were neither accidental nor cosmetic. They were grounded in the understanding that the economic backbone of the state resides in its hinterlands. By focusing on farmers, herders, and other rural dwellers, he left behind a model of development that, if sustained, could reshape the rural economy and reduce urban pressure. While every administration has areas for improvement, Ganduje’s rural focus supported by data, budgetary commitments, and visible projects remains a defining chapter in Kano’s development history. Umar is a political analyst and writes from Kano.