A Leader Returns Home
When I heard that Professor Abubakar Mohammed might be contesting for the position of Rector at Kogi State Polytechnic, my heart leaped—not from surprise, but from gentle reaffirmation. Here was a noble man choosing to step into the ring where true transformation happens, rather than remain on the sidelines watching. Too often in the Nigerian story, good men stay silent. Professor Mohammed has never been one of them.
I had heard about him long before we met—in hushed corners, in hallowed chambers, in respected academic fora—always described as a visionary and gentle leader who serves as a microcosm of change, pioneering structured transformation in every environment he touches.
The Foundation: Lokoja to the World
Born on 3rd November 1974 in Lokoja, Kogi State, Professor Mohammed is a son of this soil who never forgot where he came from. I imagine him as a young dreamer growing up in Lokoja in the 1970s and 1980s, attending St. Mary’s Primary School in a town that was still finding its footing. What Lokoja was then, and what it could become, must have shaped his worldview profoundly.
From those early foundations, he took the bold step of traveling to the prestigious Bayero University, Kano, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2000. But he didn’t stop there—he aimed higher, crossing continents to pursue excellence. In 2009, he obtained his Master of Science from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, one of the top 100 universities in the world. Later, on an Indian Government Scholarship, he proceeded to Allahabad University, India, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry in 2018.
A product of three continents—Africa, Europe, and Asia—Professor Mohammed embodies the rare combination of global academic exposure and deep local understanding. This positions him uniquely to lead a modern, competitive, and globally relevant polytechnic institution.
The Pattern: Always Coming Back
Yet what strikes me most about his academic journey is a consistent, deliberate pattern: at each point, he came back to give. After each international sojourn, he returned to the Nigerian academic community, investing the wealth of knowledge he had acquired in the development of others.
This is not accidental. I am convinced that for Professor Mohammed, knowledge shared represents the peak of accumulated knowledge.
His career trajectory demonstrates this commitment vividly. Beginning at Bauchi State University, Gadau (2013–2019), he served as Assistant Lecturer and Lecturer I, quickly rising to Head of Department (2016–2019). There, he provided leadership in academic planning, staff mentoring, and institutional development, laying foundations that would define his approach to educational leadership.
In 2019, he joined the Federal University of Lafia, advancing from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor (2019–2024). His impact was immediate and multifaceted: he served as Head of Department (2021–2024) and Deputy Dean (2022–2024), playing strategic roles in accreditation, curriculum renewal, quality assurance, and faculty governance. These were not ceremonial positions—they were arenas where he implemented reforms, mentored colleagues, and ensured that students received education that met international standards.
The Homecoming: Federal University Lokoja
In 2024, Professor Mohammed’s journey came full circle. He was appointed Professor of Medical Biochemistry at the Federal University Lokoja—back in the city where it all began. Since 2025, he has served as Head of Department, Director of the Global Institute of Infectious Disease and Control, and Member of the University Selection Committee, contributing to policy formulation, staff recruitment, and institutional leadership.
At the national level, he serves as North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB)—a recognition of his professional standing, leadership influence, and broad academic network across Nigeria.
His research and teaching interests span diabetes mellitus, phytochemicals, medicinal plants, metabolic disorders, and applied biomedical sciences, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and extensive supervision experience. This is not abstract research divorced from local realities; it is work that addresses health challenges affecting our communities.
A Vision for Kogi State Polytechnic
Now, in seeking the office of Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Professor Abubakar Mohammed brings tested leadership, international best practices, professional credibility, and an unshakeable commitment to Kogi State.
His vision is clear and actionable: to reposition the Polytechnic through skills-driven education, industry partnerships, staff capacity development, stable academic calendars, innovation hubs, and student-centered governance. These are not buzzwords—they reflect decades of experience in institutions where he implemented similar transformations.
Known for his integrity, humility, and inclusive leadership style, Professor Mohammed represents transformational leadership that blends global standards with local relevance. He understands that a polytechnic must serve multiple constituencies—staff who need professional development and dignity, students who deserve quality education and clear pathways to employment, industry partners seeking skilled graduates, and the people of Kogi State who deserve an institution they can be proud of.
The Choice Before Us
This is not a man seeking office for personal aggrandizement. This is a leader who has consistently chosen service over comfort, who has returned home at every opportunity to invest in his people, and who now offers his considerable experience and vision for the transformation of an institution that matters deeply to the educational and economic future of Kogi State.
The choice is clear. The moment is now. And the man is ready.
– John Kayode writes from Lokoja.
