BY: ADAMU SHEHU, HOTORO, KANO
As the tenure of Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, the Provost of the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), Kano, approaches its expiration, critical conversations have emerged around the possibility of extending his leadership.
This debate is particularly relevant considering the outstanding achievements and transformation he has championed during his tenure, despite already attaining the statutory retirement age.
Observers from far and near argue that leadership should not be measured merely by the ticking of years but by the tangible impacts, reforms, and value created, which are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on food security, wealth creation, and youth engagement. By this standard, Dr. Gwaram stands out as one of the most outstanding Provosts in the history of FCAPT.
His record of achievements, transformations, reforms, and empowerment initiatives distinguishes him from other Provosts.
A precedent exists within Nigeria’s Federal Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutions that supports continuity in such cases. If the Federal Government chooses to grant Dr. Gwaram a tenure extension, it would be consistent with this practice and justified by his reform-driven leadership approach.
Dr. Gwaram’s achievements are not hidden; they are documented across newspapers, online platforms, and in the testimonies of staff, students, and critical stakeholders. His leadership has not only strengthened the core mandate of the college but also broadened its impact in the entire North-West zone and beyond. Particularly commendable is his commitment to empowering teeming youths with practical skills that promote self-reliance. Through training programs and the provision of starter kits, he has enabled many graduates to engage in agribusiness and other ventures. This effort directly aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which emphasizes job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
In an era where many leaders seek positions for personal gain, Dr. Gwaram has remained focused on service delivery and institutional growth. His leadership has been transformative, instilling confidence in staff and uplifting the reputation of FCAPT, Kano. Nigerians must learn to recognize and support selfless leaders who put the collective interest of the nation above personal ambitions and gains.
As debates over his tenure extension continue, Dr. Gwaram has earned respect through results. His stewardship deserves recognition, not distraction through baseless criticisms on online media platforms. Those who doubt his contributions are encouraged to visit the college and witness first-hand the reforms and innovations introduced under his leadership.
The conversation should, therefore, be less about age and more about impact. If extending his tenure means completing ongoing reforms and consolidating the progress made so far, then the government and relevant stakeholders owe it to the institution and to Nigeria’s agricultural sector to support this continuity.
Dr. Gwaram has proven himself to be a reformer, a mentor, and a visionary leader. He is in the process of completing his five-year tenure. The media will only shed light on the achievements and positive impacts he has brought to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural sector agenda.
Shehu writes from Kano, and is a former student of the college