By Emmanuel Kwada
In a revealing interview with Northern Bureau Chief Muhammad Sabiu, Professor John Laah, Chairman of the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors (FSKP), delivered a scathing critique of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, accusing it of completely sidelining Southern Kaduna for eight years.
In contrast, Laah passionately endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for their transformative initiatives, which he says have brought unprecedented development to the region in just two years.
The FSKP, a collective of 196 professors from Southern Kaduna, emerged from a growing recognition of the region’s academic prowess.
Laah traced the forum’s origins to the 1980s, when Southern Kaduna boasted only a handful of professors, such as Professor Yayock and Professor Aku. Over the decades, their numbers swelled, prompting the formation of the FSKP in 2014 as an ad hoc group that was later formalized during the burial of Professor Mamman, former Director-General of the Energy Commission.
We realized we were over 100 in number, and now we’re at 196, with more still being identified, even abroad
“We realized we were over 100 in number, and now we’re at 196, with more still being identified, even abroad,” Laah said.
The forum’s mission is rooted in leveraging academic rigor for community service, offering data-driven interventions to address Southern Kaduna’s challenges. “Our training in research and statistics gives us credibility when we speak,” Laah noted, emphasizing the group’s commitment to informed advocacy.
The FSKP has left an indelible mark on Southern Kaduna, most notably through its pivotal role in establishing the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia. Laah recounted how the forum mobilized data, wrote memos, and lobbied the National Assembly to secure the institution.
“We worked closely with Senator Sunday Marshall, who sponsored the bill. We even offered to run the university ourselves if needed, given our expertise across academic fields,” he said.
The university addresses a critical gap, as Southern Kaduna previously lacked any federal higher institution, unlike other states with multiple. “Education is virtually our only industry,” Laah explained, highlighting its potential to combat youth unemployment and socio-economic challenges.
We worked closely with Senator Sunday Marshall, who sponsored the bill. We even offered to run the university ourselves if needed, given our expertise across academic fields
Beyond education, the FSKP is deeply engaged in peacebuilding, advocating for harmony between farmers and herders to foster a cohesive society. The forum’s recent press conference, its first, garnered widespread attention, signaling its growing influence.
Many members also lead community development associations, reflecting the trust placed in their expertise.
Laah’s most pointed remarks targeted former President Buhari’s eight-year tenure (2015–2023), during which he claims Southern Kaduna was “completely sidelined.” “Not a single key appointment came our way,” Laah said, contrasting this with previous administrations.
Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Southern Kaduna secured high-profile roles, including Minister of Finance, Minister of Works, and Chief of Army Staff.
President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed a Chief of Naval Staff from the region, and President Goodluck Jonathan named a Group Managing Director of the NNPC, among others.
In stark contrast, Laah praised President Tinubu’s administration for delivering transformative projects in under two years. These include a Federal Medical Centre, the Federal University in Kachia, a UBEC model school, a National Open University study centre, a command secondary school, and three operational military commands. “Six federal institutions in two years—that’s unprecedented,” Laah said, attributing these gains to Tinubu’s inclusive approach.
Six federal institutions in two years—that’s unprecedented
Additionally, Governor Uba Sani’s establishment of a vocational institute in Southern Kaduna, one of only two in the state, was lauded for its potential to train 800 youths annually and provide starter packs to combat unemployment.
“As Africans, we’re taught to appreciate good deeds, not just for what’s done but in anticipation of more,” Laah said, explaining the FSKP’s public endorsement of Tinubu and Sani.
Uba Sani’s Transformative Leadership
Governor Uba Sani received equal praise for his commitment to Southern Kaduna. Laah highlighted Sani’s early projects, including a 17km road in Kaura Local Government Area and another in Zangon Kataf, where the governor accepted the traditional title “Lover of Atyap” and donned local regalia—a symbolic gesture of unity.
The installation of over 2,000 solar lights across Southern Kaduna communities was cited as a tangible achievement.
Laah also contrasted Sani’s support for the Federal University in Kachia with the opposition of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.
A previous bill for a federal university in Manchok, passed by the Senate in 2022, was reportedly blocked by El-Rufai and never assented to by Buhari. “When we met Uba Sani as a senator, he withdrew his own proposal for a university in Zone Two to back ours,” Laah said.
As governor, Sani provided over 170 hectares of land and signed the Certificate of Occupancy for the Kachia university, a move Laah described as “a major statement of support.”
We commend when it’s due and critique when necessary
The FSKP’s endorsement of Tinubu and Sani reflects a broader call for inclusive governance and sustained development in Southern Kaduna. Laah emphasized the forum’s commitment to fairness, noting, “We commend when it’s due and critique when necessary.”
With its growing membership and influence, the FSKP is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Southern Kaduna’s future, advocating for education, peace, and equitable representation.
As Nigeria looks toward the 2027 elections, the FSKP’s bold stance signals a demand for leaders who prioritize marginalized regions. For now, Tinubu and Sani have earned the forum’s trust, but Laah’s message is clear: Southern Kaduna will no longer accept being sidelined.
