A fresh wave of outrage is sweeping through the Nigerian agricultural education sector following the appointment of Dr. Muhammad...
A fresh wave of outrage is sweeping through the Nigerian agricultural education sector following the appointment of Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, the embattled former Provost of the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), Kano, as the pioneer Provost of the newly established Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma, Jigawa State. Stakeholders say the decision undermines accountability and threatens the credibility of federal agricultural institutions.
The controversy surrounding Gwaram dates back to December 15, 2023, when the National Industrial Court sitting in Kano declared his appointment at FCAPT invalid. The court ruled that those who appointed him had no legal authority to do so and held that his August 24, 2020 appointment was illegal, unlawful, and void. Since he had already been interdicted for public incitement and making false allegations against public officials, he was considered unqualified to hold the office. The court cancelled his appointment letter, barred him from presenting himself or acting as Provost, and awarded five million naira in general and exemplary damages against the Defendants. Despite this clear ruling, he allegedly remained in office until August 2025—a move critics describe as a flagrant disregard for the judiciary and the rule of law.
The Citizens Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) had repeatedly called on the Federal Government, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to enforce the judgment and stop what they described as the “illegal recycling” of Gwaram into another leadership role. Those concerns intensified after news broke that he had now been appointed to head the new college.
Beyond the legal issues, Gwaram faces several allegations of financial misconduct. He is reportedly under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly opening and operating an unauthorized Moniepoint account into which students were directed to pay 40 percent of their tuition fees, while only 60 percent was remitted to the Treasury Single Account (TSA). Critics say this arrangement diverted significant revenue from the institution and violated federal financial regulations.
Stakeholders also accuse him of mismanaging and converting college assets for personal use. He allegedly auctioned a 2019 Toyota Corolla belonging to the college for just ₦900,000—far below its estimated market value of about ₦20 million. The only two tractors owned by FCAPT were also reportedly removed for his private use. These accusations have deepened public concerns over his suitability for any leadership position within the federal education system.
Gwaram has defended his tenure, claiming he transformed FCAPT through expanded academic programmes, infrastructure upgrades, and an increase in postgraduate-qualified staff. Several academic staff members dispute these claims, insisting he inflated the number of PhD holders, overstated achievements, and governed through divide-and-rule tactics, intimidation, and the coercion of staff.
The Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma—established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2021—requires that the Provost be appointed by the Minister of Agriculture from a shortlist recommended by a Joint Council and Academic Selection Board. Although no detailed government statement has yet explained how Gwaram emerged, critics point to his age of 65 and his unresolved legal and administrative controversies, including what they describe as a record of double dismissal from the federal civil service.
As public pressure mounts, civil society organisations are calling on the Federal Government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that leadership positions in the agricultural education sector reflect integrity and professionalism. For many observers, this appointment has become a test of the government’s commitment to transparency, institutional reform, and the fight against corruption in Nigeria’s agricultural education system.
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