Celebrating Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza: A New Dawn for Northwest University, Sokoto

Toyin Falola

Time has shown and confirmed that every great story has a moment where a new chapter begins and another one ends. The beginning of the new chapter, for as many who hope for it, comes with a breath of fresh promise and excitement. This feeling equates to the rising sun, which heralds a new day. At the beginning of the day, the sun rises and maintains a magnificent position in the sky, shining and radiating brightness as the day emerges. In its way, it stands out as an affirmation of the joy and excitement that comes with each day, smiling down at the people as they move about daily activities with great optimism.

The likeness of the sun as it takes its place every dawn, in this regard, is equated with the emergence of new components, such as a new leader, signifying renewed energy and vision.  In other words, for friends and well-wishers of Northwest University, the emergence of a new leader depicts renewed energy and commitment to the vision and mission that kept the institution moving. Today, we eulogize a leader shaped by wisdom, service, and a deep passion for education as he steps forward to take the baton, marking a monumental paradigm shift that will undeniably materialize and be felt across every corner of the university community. No doubt, this is a new chapter for the school. It is one ushered by a steady hand and clear vision with great promises for growth, inspiration, and a lasting impact on the entire university community.

Good leadership, as they say, is the foundation of progress in every society. It undoubtedly involves guidance with integrity, pushing for growth, and inspiring collective action toward common and shared goals. In an academic setting, strong leadership, in a long way, shapes the academic culture, drives innovation, and opens doors of opportunities for students and faculty alike. It builds connections between the school and its community, preparing students to take on pacesetter roles for impacts in an ever-changing world. As Northwest University embraces a new era, there is no doubt that strong and visionary leadership is essential in steering the institution toward a bright and promising future. This alone is why we rejoice with the school, its faculty, students, and well-wishers on the choice and appointment of Professor Bunza as its new flag bearer. It is with sincere intention and a great sense of duty towards preaching and commending goodness that I pen these thoughts down in honour of the esteemed professor.

Professor Bunza’s emergence as the new Vice Chancellor is not only a personal triumph. Rather, it is a collective triumph that calls for celebrations for students and faculty members of the great learning institution. As the norm, Professor Bunza’s academic journey did not start at the peak level. Rather, it began as a humble student, driven by a true desire to learn and grow. This culminated in the drive for scholarship as he sought knowledge that led him to earn degrees from respected institutions, significantly from the prestigious Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in the Department of History with each step, marking his ascent to becoming a distinguished scholar.

 What truly sets Professor apart since the onset is his relentless pursuit of understanding, which became a core trait that has shaped his entire career. All through his academic life, Professor Bunza has shown an unwavering dedication to excellence and substance. His taste for quality research across contemporary matters shows true scholarship and the innate need to view and analyse salient societal affairs through a thorough yet interesting and engaging academic engagement. Hence, his research is diverse across various fields. The diversity has become a pointer showcasing his intellectual breadth and commitment to addressing meaningful issues. His contributions have enriched academic discussions and tackled pressing societal challenges in the field of history and sociology generally. Irrespective of the setting or mode, Professor Bunza’s work has consistently reflected his dedication to advancing knowledge for the greater good.

To his credit are about one hundred book chapters, journals, and publications from domestic and international publications. In addition to these is the authorship of substantial books as a single author and co-author on history, language, biographies, and issues of national cohesion, amongst others. Prominent amongst his books is his work on Nigeria in Search of Stability: The Role of Religion, History and Language, a masterpiece published in 2020. As a man known for his intellectual rigor, learning, and innovation, it is exciting and correct to predict the replication of these traits within the university community.

He is a distinguished scholar with international recognition, having earned fellowships at prestigious institutions such as the Leventis Postdoctoral Research at SOAS, the University of London, and the ISITA Fellowship at Northwestern University in the USA. These accomplishments reflect his significant contributions to research and his respected position in the global academic community. He has also participated, on two occasions, in Carnegie-sponsored projects on private universities in Africa and, more recently, in his robust presentation in Kenya last May.

Away from his scholarly acumen, one thing that strikes my mind as I pen this today is the gracefulness of the esteemed professor. As an elite scholar whose job nature revolves around leading and taking charge, Professor Bunza’s approach to leadership is grounded in the philosophy that true leaders empower others.  And as such, he has always worked to create spaces where others feel valued and supported. His leadership ideals greatly transcend the core of administrative duties; he believes in creating a sense of purpose and fostering an environment where everyone, from the brightest academic minds to the most dedicated community members, can thrive.

This translates to the great working environment that is evidenced across the various committees, organizations, and parastatals, where he had been reported to lead and take charge of matters relating to education. As a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University and across other institutions where he had taught, he had served as a committee head, member, administrative head, acting dean, head of department, and Dean of the faculty, leading with exemplary ideals that endeared him towards others. His brilliance led to his appointment as the Honourable Commissioner in the Ministry for Higher Education by the Kebbi Government twice. Before he was appointed Vice-chancellor, he served as the Director of the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University.

Beyond academia, Professor Bunza is a committed individual who believes in service to the community as an extension of his classroom activities.  He has long understood that the quality of society is tied to the quality of education. He believes it is not about imparting knowledge but about creating positive change in society. He sees the manifestation of thought and learning through human action. Hence, there is an emphasis on bridging the gaps through community service. Through his community service, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that his influence extends beyond the classroom, contributing to causes that improve the lives of those around him.

For an individual with mountainous commitment from the academic community, Professor Bunza still dedicates time to impacting lives through his selfless services to humanity. Professor Bunza’s commitment to community service is as remarkable as his academic accomplishments. His involvement in various organizations reflects a deep dedication to the betterment of society. As a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Gwandu Emirate Development Association (GEDA) and the Zoromawa Development Association (ZODA), he has been instrumental in promoting development initiatives that enhance the quality of life for local communities. At the same time, his leadership as Chairman of the Education Committee at ZODA underscores his passion for improving educational opportunities, ensuring that young people have the tools they need to succeed. The Professor has carved a niche for himself within his immediate community as a man of impact.  He has done so to show and exemplify the need to tackle social issues from the grassroots.

Notably, one great hallmark of Professor Bunza’s career will be his dedication to mentorship in a bid to create an enabling environment for the upcoming generations.  It is in recognizing that the next generation of leaders, if well-led, will shape the future. He has always made time to listen and mentor young ones within and outside the academic world. He has been a mentor to countless students, colleagues, and young professionals, offering them guidance and support as they strive to reach their full potential. He is currently the Patron of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Bunza Area Unit, amongst others outside academics.

Within the academic settings, as an internal and external examiner, he has supervised student undergraduates’ and postgraduates’ thesis works where he extended scholarship and mentoring, which allowed these individuals to scale through the rigors of research and intellectual work seamlessly under his watchful eyes and guidance. His approach to mentorship, built on the belief that everyone has unique potential, defines the extent to which he goes to help others recognize their strengths and push beyond their limits, encouraging them to seek goals with determination and purpose. As Vice Chancellor, Professor Bunza’s dedication to mentorship will no doubt be a key part of his leadership. He will continue to inspire and support students, faculty, and administrative staff, helping them face the challenges of academic and professional life with confidence.

With immense pride and great expectations, I join my thoughts with others who celebrate Professor Bunza’s appointment as Vice Chancellor of Northwest University. It is a well-deserved recognition and a testament to his years of unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment to academic excellence and leadership, which also underscores his invaluable contributions to the community and his innate passion for fostering education.

Deep down, I do not doubt that Professor Bunza will continue to inspire greatness, not just within Northwest University but across the wider academic landscape. His leadership marks the beginning of a promising new chapter, one that will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to excel in an ever-changing world. With Professor Bunza at the helm, the future of Northwest University is undoubtedly bright, and its path to greatness is clear.