Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, and legal scholar Professor Auwalu Hamisu Yadudu have joined academics and professionals in honouring renowned political scientist and philosopher, Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam, for his contributions to scholarship and mentorship.
The Independent Mirror reports that the tributes were delivered at the public presentation of The Quest for Philosophical Understanding: Essays in Honour of Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam, held in Kano, where participants called for greater application of philosophical inquiry to Nigeria’s governance, insecurity, inequality and development challenges.
The event brought together academics, intellectuals, former students, friends and associates of Mu’azzam to celebrate his intellectual contributions and influence on generations of scholars.
Speaking at the event, Professor Murtala Muhammad, co-editor of the book and chairman of the organising committee, said the publication recognised Mu’azzam’s academic achievements, commitment to independent thinking and dedication to mentoring younger scholars.
Muhammad said Mu’azzam served Bayero University, Kano, for more than four decades before retiring in 2018, contributing to teaching, research and intellectual development.
He said philosophy remained relevant to addressing Nigeria’s challenges because it encouraged critical examination of power, public policies and moral choices.
“Academic work should not be confined to classrooms and libraries. It should help us interrogate injustice and contribute meaningfully to human development,” Muhammad said.
He explained that the essays in the book examined philosophy and logic, governance, security, peace, African knowledge systems, leadership, ethics and the decolonisation of knowledge.
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The co-editor urged academics to ensure that their research extended beyond academic institutions to address societal problems and promote human development.
The chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Munzali Jibrin, commended the organisers for recognising Mu’azzam’s contributions and celebrating his scholarly achievements.
Jibrin also reflected on the honouree’s intellectual legacy and his contributions to academic life.
In a presentation titled, “The Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam I Know: Reflections on the Life, Ideas and Intellectual Contributions of the Honouree,” Professor Bawa Hassan Gusau described Mu’azzam as a distinguished scholar whose work had contributed to Marxist thought and radical scholarship in Nigeria.
Gusau highlighted Mu’azzam’s influence on critical scholarship, particularly in political science, as well as his commitment to expanding knowledge and encouraging intellectual development.
Also speaking, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development and chairman of the Editorial Board of *Premium Times*, reviewed the book and acknowledged Mu’azzam’s contributions to scholarship.
His review examined the significance of documenting the honouree’s intellectual contributions and the need for continued engagement with philosophical and political questions affecting Nigeria and Africa.
Participants at the event emphasised the importance of critical thinking in addressing the country’s governance and development challenges, noting the relevance of philosophical inquiry to public policy and social transformation.
Muhammad acknowledged the Centre for Information Technology and Development for supporting the initiative, alongside the contributors, reviewers, editors and production team involved in producing the book.
The programme also featured the signing of the book and the presentation of copies to guests.
Mu’azzam, a long-serving lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, is widely recognised for his contributions to teaching, scholarship and mentorship, which have influenced generations of Nigerian academics and public intellectuals.
