The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) on Saturday, 17 January 2026, honoured the Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed; the immediate past Director of CDA, Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin; the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Muhammad Auwal Hussain; and the Dean-elect, Professor Aminu Sulaiman, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to academia and agricultural development.
The ceremony, held at Tahir Guest Palace, was organised to celebrate the achievements and dedicated service of the distinguished personalities.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of WOFAN Group, Dr Salamatu Garba, described the honour as a reflection of the long-standing and productive relationship between WOFAN, the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, and the Faculty of Agriculture.
She noted that the collaboration has continued to yield impactful outcomes in capacity building and agricultural innovation.
Dr Garba also highlighted WOFAN’s SIBLING Project, an initiative aimed at empowering 300 Bayero University, Kano (BUK) students annually, alongside wives of staff, with skills in agricultural technology, innovation, value-chain development, and production to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Dr Salamatu Garba said the initiative was designed to change the narrative of women and youth participation in agriculture through practical skills, access to land, inputs, and guaranteed markets. She revealed plans to introduce processing and packaging of agricultural produce, including a proposed “CDA/WOFAN Rice” brand for sale within the university community.
She explained that women participants would be allocated plots from the designated farmland, with WOFAN providing land preparation, inputs at subsidised rates, and immediate purchase of harvested produce. Outstanding students, she added, would receive start-up support, including equipment, storage facilities, and small grants.
The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa, FSI, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, commended WOFAN for recognising scholars whose contributions have significantly advanced academic excellence and institutional development. He urged the Director of CDA to sustain and further strengthen the Centre’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading Centres of Excellence.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, expressed appreciation to WOFAN for the honour, noting her strong professional relationship with the awardees and acknowledging their commitment to research, innovation, and community engagement.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the WOFAN Board, Professor Sani Miko, described the recognition as well-deserved, citing the celebrants’ proven track records, professionalism, and sustained collaboration with WOFAN. A member of the Board, Professor Mahmud Daneji, further explained that the honours were part of WOFAN’s deliberate strategy to acknowledge partners who have consistently supported its mission.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, Professors Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, Aminu Sulaiman, and Muhammad Auwal Hussain expressed profound gratitude to WOFAN and its Chairperson, Dr Salamatu Garba, for the recognition. They reaffirmed their commitment to continued service to Bayero University, Kano, and to contributing meaningfully to academic growth and national development.
The event was attended by many BUK staff including three Deputy Directors of CDA—Professor Murtala Mohammed Badamasi, Dr Mustapha Muhammad Bello, and Dr Amina Lawan Mustapha—as well as Professor Muhammad Manga, heads of departments, and other members of staff.