(184): The Scholar Who Shaped My Journey: A Tribute to Abdalla Uba Adamu

The Scholar Who Shaped My Journey: A Tribute to Abdalla Uba Adamu

By Muhsin Ibrahim

Growing up surrounded by books at home, I aspired to be a writer. In 1999, as an adjunct teacher at a local Islamic school, I received my first-ever salary, which I spent on books. Many experienced writers advise that you must be a reader to become a writer. So, I read as much as I could, especially back then, to realise my dream.

At some point in 2005, Freedom Radio, Kano, invited Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu for an interview. As a versatile academic, he spoke at length on various topics, including their Yahoo! group and the KanoOnline forum. I became very interested in both. That was the year I finished secondary school, and I was eager to improve my English to pursue my writing dreams while also preparing for higher education.

I wanted to contact Prof. Abdalla via email, which I noted when he mentioned it on the radio programme, but I was unsure whether he would reply. When I finally gathered the courage to write to him, I sent him a message, and, bingo, he responded quickly and positively, joking about where I was born, as he, too, was born in the same neighbourhood. That marked the start of a very productive, lasting relationship.

Cologne, 2023.

I joined the Yahoo! group and KanoOnline in 2006. I also registered with the British Council, not knowing I would meet Prof. Abdalla in person, for the first time, there during an event he organised. When I timidly introduced myself, he warmly embraced me and was delighted that we had finally met.

I had just enrolled at Bayero University Kano to study in Prof. Abdalla’s Department of Education, though he later transferred to the Department of Mass Communication. Through our online conversations and regular visits to his office, he became my mentor. Several years later, in faraway Germany, he served as my second PhD supervisor (“Doktorvater”), alongside another cerebral professor, Anne Storch.

While many, especially on social media, perceive that Prof. Abdalla and I share a close rapport, the reality is that we disagreed on the KanoOnline forum and during my PhD studies, a few times, at least. Naturally, disagreements happen when people are honest with each other.

Prof. Abdalla persistently pushed me to produce a worthy dissertation, one we would both be proud of. I thought he was too strict then, but now I smile and shake my head shyly, as his insistence has paid off handsomely. I derived two pieces from my dissertation—a chapter in a Bloomsbury book and an article in a top-tier Taylor & Francis journal. The dissertation itself was published by Springer Nature. I couldn’t wish for a better outcome. I couldn’t wish for a better mentor or supervisor either. I am deeply grateful to Allah (SWT).

An actor once said, “Destiny is all,” but everyone needs someone to look up to. We need a role model whose admirable journey motivates us and a mentor to guide us. You should do your best and pray for success. These efforts are likely to lead to success in life. I may not be another Abdalla, and I am perfectly fine with that, but his exceptional academic path and accomplishments will always inspire mine.

The Hausa Studies community worldwide will forever be proud of a towering academic, a pacesetter, and a generous mentor like Prof. Abdalla. I am glad that, although he has retired (on 25.04.2026 at the age of 70), he is not tired. May Allah (SWT) grant him more strength, wisdom, wealth, health, and piety, amin. May Allah reward our parents, mentors, teachers, and everyone who has helped us to realise our dreams, amin.

Muhsin Ibrahim, PhD

Institute of African Studies,

University of Cologne, Germany