Varsity Inaugurates Advisory Board To Boost Dryland Agriculture

The vice-chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), professor Haruna Musa has inaugurated the Sectoral Industry Advisory Board (SIAB) of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), to strengthen industry collaboration and advancing food security agenda.

The 12-member board is chaired by the chairperson of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) International Group, Dr Salamatu Garba, a leading advocate for smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain development.

Speaking at the inauguration, professor Musa said the calibre and experience of the professionals appointed to the board would significantly enhance the centre’s capacity to deliver impactful research, innovation and outreach in dryland agriculture.

He described the assignment as critical and strategic, expressing confidence that the board would provide the leadership and industry-driven guidance needed to reposition the centre for greater national relevance. The vice-chancellor also prayed for wisdom and divine guidance for members as they undertake their responsibilities.

Professor Musa further congratulated WOFAN, the CDA and the university community on the successful launch of the SIBLING project and also commended the distribution of rice palliatives to 2,617 junior staff members, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.

Earlier, the director of the CDA, professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, said the board was reconstituted to strengthen institutional sustainability and deepen engagement with industry stakeholders.

According to him, the SIAB comprises seven external and five internal members selected to provide strategic oversight, technical advice and market-oriented direction for the centres programmes.

Responding on behalf of members, board chairperson, Dr Garba expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them, pledging the board’s full commitment to supporting the centre’s mandate.

She described the assignment as both an honour and a responsibility, noting that effective teamwork and collaboration would be essential to achieving meaningful results.

Dr Garba said, “As the only female member of the board, the responsibility is even greater, but with the support and cooperation of my colleagues, we will work to move the University and the Centre to greater heights”.

External members of the board include the managing-director of Esoterra Investment Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Wada; managing-director of Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu Madugu; IFDC country representative, Mohammed Salasi Kibiya; managing-director of Chimande Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya; Dr Donald Madukwe of OCP; and Abubakar Garba Ibrahim of SILVEX International Limited.

Internal members are professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed; immediate past director of CDA, Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin; deputy-director (training), Professor Murtala Mohammad Badamasi; deputy-director (research ), Dr Mustapha Mohammed Bello; and deputy-director (outreach and publication), Dr Amina Lawan Mustapha.

Following the inauguration, the board held its maiden meeting at the centre, where members discussed key priorities, including strategies to sustain the centre’s operations beyond the lifespan of current World Bank funding with the session presided over by Dr Garba.