Today, the *26th January, 2026* marks exactly 70 years of Professor Ja'afar Makau Kaura's birth which also coincides with a new era in his life. Glory is to Allah (SWT) by Whose favour the righteous find solace.
Sir, as you retire from active service today, even though you are not tired, your impact on Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and countless lives beyond will be felt for generations to come. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have inspired us all. As you embark on this new chapter, know that your legacy lives on through the countless students you've mentored and the knowledge you've shared. May Allahu Ta'ala bless you with Jannatul Firdaus.
Professor Kaura was born on 26th January, 1956 in Kaura-Namoda, Zamfara State.
His academic journey commenced in the following progression:
1. Makarantar Malam Isa (Qur'anic School) Kaura-Namoda, 1960-1972
2. Nizamiyyah School, Kaura-Namoda, 1965-1970
3. Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto, 1971-1974
4. State College of Arts and Science, Sokoto 1975-1978
5. University of Sokoto, Sokoto 1978-1981
6. Bayero University, Kano 1983-1985
7. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 1988-1991
Prof Kaura holds the following academic qualifications:
1. Nizamiyyah School (No certificate was issued), 1970
2. High Islamic Studies Certificate, 1974
3. Diploma in Arabic, Islamic Studies and Hausa, 1978
4. B.A (Hons) Islamic Studies, 1981
5. M.A. Islamic Studies, 1985
6. Ph D Islamic Studies, 1991
He is happily married to two wives and blessed with 22 children while 21 are alive - 15 males and 6 females. He became a grandfather in 2002 while his first grand daughter got married after last year's Ramadan, April, 2025. He speaks Hausa, Arabic and English languages fluently.
His Teaching Career
Prof J.M. Kaura taught at various levels of Educational institutions thus:
1. Classroom Teacher, Kurya Primary School, Kaura-Namoda, 1974-1975
2. Government Secondary School, Kebbe, Sokoto State, 1978
3. Advanced Teachers' College, Ahmadu Bello University, Kano 1981-1982 (NYSC)
4. He joined the service of University of Sokoto/Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Tenure, as a Graduate Assistant in 1982 and by the year 2000, he became a Professor.
5. Sabbatical Appointment, Katsina State University, 2008-2009
6. Visiting Appointment, Katsina State University, 2009
7. Visiting Appointment, Federal University, Gusau, 2013-2015
8. Sabbatical Appointment, Federal University, Gusau 2015-2016
9. Visiting Appointment, Federal University, Gusau 2016 to date
10. Visiting Appointment, Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, 2019-2023
11. Sabbatical Appointment, Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara 2023-2024
12. Visiting Appointment, Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, 2024 to date.
Academic Responsibilities
As a luminary of his standing, Prof. Kaura has taught several courses at various levels:
1. Over 15 undergraduate courses across all levels 1982 to date
2. Over 8 postgraduate courses across M.A, M.Phil, and Ph.D levels, 1991 to date
Supervision & Mentoring
1. The Professor has supervised over 200 undergraduate students projects
2. He has supervised and mentored over 30 M.A. students & about the same number of Ph.D Theses.
Publications
The scholarly prowess of Prof. J.M. Kaura became more evident in his academic publications of Articles and Books from 1990-2025 in Islamic Education, Governance, Peace and Security, Women Participation in Modern Politics, Ethics, and Tasawwuf (Sufism). Yet, he has some unpublished works to his credit.
Conferences Attended
Prof Kaura relentlessly showcased his passion and commitment to personal growth and development by attending over 27 National and International conferences from 1984 to date. His curriculum Vitae speaks volumes of this evidence.
Administrative Responsibilities
As an academic jugganaut when it comes to decision making, Prof Kaura situationally defines pathways to success when all hopes appear to be lost. Managing humans is actually more perturbing than managing animals and infrastructure. His transformative power of leadership acumen and problem-solving skills were noticeable in his ability to navigate several administrative turbulence when he held various administrative responsibilities within and outside the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto:
1. A.g Head of Department, Islamic Studies, UDUS, 1993-1997
2. Deputy Dean of Students, UDUS, 1993-1994
3. Dean of Students, UDUS, 1994-1997
4. Director, Centre for Islamic Studies, UDUS, 1997-2001
5. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), UDUS, 2003-2007
6. Departmental Board Secretary, UDUS, 1982-1983
7. Departmental Examinations Officer, UDUS, 1984-1988
8. Member, UDUS Council, 1994-1996, 1998-1999, 2000-2007
9. Coordinator, UDUS Central Admin Complex, 2003-2007
10. Vice-Chancellor's Representative on Extension Services Committee, UDUS, 1984-1996
11. Guidance & Counseling Officer for Students in the Department of Islamic Studies, 1991-1993
12. He was Chairman of about 27 University Committees, UDUS, 1992-2017
13. He was a Member of about 20 Boards & Committees at University, Faculty and Departmental levels, UDUS, 1982-2017
14. Head of Department, Islamic Studies, Katsina State University, Katsina (KSUS), 2008-2009
15. Chairman/Member of about 8 Committees, KSUS, 2008-2009
16. Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State, 2014-2016
17. Chairman/Member of 9 Committees at FUGUS, 2014-2016
18. Head of Department, Islamic Studies, Zamfara State University (ZSU), Talata Mafara, 2019-2024
19. Dean, Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, ZSU, 2019 to date
20. Chairman/Member of many Committees at ZSU, 2019 to date
Editorial Responsibilities
Prof. J.M. Kaura's unwavering intellectual commitment to excellence and quality publications exposed him to editorial services for many academic Journals and Bodies. For instance, he was:
1. Editorial Member, Al-Nahdha Journal, CIS, UDUS, 1992-1997
2. Review Editor, Al-Bayan Journal, Islamic Research Centre, Sokoto, 1992
3. Review Editor, National Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) Conference Proceedings, 1992
4. Member, Editorial Committee on Publication of the Proceedings of International Seminar on Islam and Development of Science and Technology, 1995
5. Member, Editorial Board of the Proceedings of Seminar on Government Participation in the Organisation and Conduct of Hajj in Nigeria, 1995
6. Member, Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the Conference on "Islam and Political Challenges of the Modern Times", 1997
7. Editor-in-chief, Al-Nahdha Journal of Islamic Heritage, CIS, UDUS, 1997-2001
8. Member, Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the Conference on "The Life and Works of Sultan Muhammad Bello", 1998
9. Member, Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the Conference on "The Islamic Political Theory and Application", 1997
10. Editorial Consultant, FCE Zaria Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2003 to date
11. Editor-in-chief, Journal of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, FUGUS, 2015 to date
12. Member, Editorial Committee of the Conference Proceedings on "Zamfara and the Challenges of Development (1964-2019), 2019
13. Member, Editorial Committee of the Conference Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Seminar of Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) 2007
National Assignments
In clear commitment to national development, Prof. Kaura was invited to serve the nation in various capacities namely:
1. Enumerator, the 1973 National Census, 1973
2. Enumerator, the 1974 Universal Primary Education Census, 1974
3. Member, National Council for Education Committee on Text Book Rationalisation, 1990
4. Resource Person/Trainer for Political Party Elected Officers, Centre for Democratic Studies, Abuja, 1991
5. Facilitator, the 1991 National Census, 1991.
6. Returning/Collation Officer for Election into Presidency, National Assembly and State Offices, 1992-2015.
7. Chairman, National Republican Convention Caretaker Committee at Kaura-Namoda Local Government, 1992-1993
8. Chairman, Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, 1994-1996
9. Chairman, Zamfara State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, 1996-1997
10. Chairman, Zamfara State Preaching Board, 1997-2003
11. Resource Person, NCE by Distance Learning Modules, NTI, Kaduna, 1991-1993
12. Resource Person, Pivotal Programme Modules, NTI, Kaduna, 2001
13. Resource Person, Integration of Qur'anic Education into Western Education, National Primary Education Commission, 1996
14. Chairman, Zamfara State Advisory Committee on Primary Education, 2008
15. Member, Committee for the Establishment of Zamfara State University, 2017-2018
16. Member, Committee for the Implementation of Report on the Implementation of Zamfara State University, 2018-2019
17. Chairman, White paper Committee on Reports of Visitation Panels to Seven Zamfara State Tertiary Institutions, 2024
18. Chairman, Governing Council, Zamfara State College of Health Science and Technology, Tsafe, 2004 to date.
Community Service
One of the major requirements of an academic is Community Service in addition to Teaching and Researching. Prof. Kaura has been versatile in the development of the community 'at home and abroad'. As "charity begins at home", he started from his Kaura-Namoda county home and extended the hands of fellowship to the larger community. He was:
1. Chairman, Implementation Committee, Namoda Community Bank, Kaura-Namoda, 1992-1993
2. Director, Namoda Community Bank, Kaura-Namoda, 1993-2014
3. Member, Governing Board, Namoda Community Primary School, Kaura-Namoda, 1999 to date
4. Vice Chancellor's Representative on the Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, 1993-1994
5. Rotational Imam, UDUS Jumu'ah Mosque, 1995-1998
6. President, Sultan Abubakar Old Boys Association, 1992-1996
7. Chairman, UDU primary School P.T.A, 1995-2002
8. Chairman, Islamic Research Centre, Sokoto, 1998-2002
9. Staff Adviser, Sokoto State Students' Association, 1995-1996
10. Staff Adviser, Zamfara State Students' Association, 1996-2001
11. National Vice-President (Islamic Studies), Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), 2002-2007
12. National President, NATAIS, 2012
13. Ex-Officio Member, NATAIS, 2012-2016
14. Chairman, Ethics Committee, ASUU, UDUS, 2002 to date
15. Chairman, Committee to Investigate Kauran Namoda Qur’anic School Fire incident, 2025
External Examination
External Examinations are conducted in tertiary institutions of learning to ensure standardization and quality control. The role of Prof Kaura in facilitating this academic integrity traverses many universities in Nigeria. He has examined:
1. 52 Masters Dissertations and 30 Ph.D Theses in the Department of Islamic Studies, Bayero University, Kano
2. 11 Masters Dissertations and 5 Ph.D Theses in the Department of Arts and Social Science Education, A.B.U, Zaria
3. 32 Masters Dissertations and 12 Ph.D Theses in the Department of Islam and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi
4. 3 Masters Dissertations and 1 Ph.D Thesis in the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin.
Prof J.M. Kaura has also served as External Examiner to other undergraduate and non-degree Programmes in other tertiary institutions of learning thus:
1. Diploma in Arabic, Islamic Studies and Hausa, Bayero University, Kano, 1995-1998
2. B.A Projects, Department of Islamic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, 1995-1998
3. Diploma in Law and Shari'ah, State College of Arts and Science, Sokoto, 1995-1998
4. N.C.E, Kebbi State College of Education, 1996 to date
In all these responsibilities, Prof. Kaura - our father, grandfather, mentor and spiritual guide demonstrated that leadership is not just about giving orders; it's about empowering others. He fostered collaboration among his colleagues and students while necessarily driving meaningful change.
He inspired trust, built strong and genuine relationships and created a culture of innovation and growth in whatever position he had occupied.
In other words, Prof. Kaura leveraged his unique and foresighted perspective and experiences to positively impact whoever had the rare opportunity of working with him.
His patience and perseverance as enunciated in the Glorious Qur'an (Qur'an 2:153) sprout 19 Professors and 9 Readers among the students he has taught and mentored.
Professor Ja'afar Makau Kaura presented the 9th Inaugural Lecture of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto on 4th June, 2009 at the Congregation Hall, City Campus, Sokoto.
Prof Kaura cultivated a high sense of probity, promptness in attending meetings, lectures, examinations Invigilation, undergraduate and postgraduate research supervisions. He is a humble gentleman, simple, highly principled, yet dynamic.
His self awareness and personal growth, strategic thinking, effective communication and collaboration, emotional intelligence and empathy, adaptability and resilience all characterise his success stories throughout his academic and personal huddles of life.
May Allahu Ta'ala increase him in Iman, health and wealth to live a more beautiful and fulfilling life in the remaining part of his years on earth to the Glory and pleasure of Allah (SWT). May He (SWT) grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May his family members especially children tread his path better than he has been able to achieve.
Alhamdu liLlahi Rabbil 'alamin.
By
Prof. M.D. Shuni.
The Head, Department of Islamic Studies, UDUS
