Scholars honour Mu’azzam for decades of intellectual mentorship

Scholars have honoured renowned political scientist and philosopher Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam for his contributions to scholarship and mentorship, urging greater use of philosophical inquiry to address Nigeria’s governance and development challenges.

The call was made at the public presentation of The Quest for Philosophical Understanding: Essays in Honour of Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam, a collection of scholarly essays celebrating his intellectual contributions and influence on generations of academics.

Speaking at the event, Professor Murtala Muhammad, co-editor of the book and chairman of the organising committee, said the publication celebrated not only Mu’azzam’s academic achievements but also his legacy of inspiring independent thinking and nurturing 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 mentorship.

He said philosophy remained essential to addressing insecurity, inequality and governance challenges in Nigeria because it encouraged critical examination of power, public policies and moral choices.

According to him, the essays in the book cover philosophy and logic, governance, security, peace, African knowledge systems, leadership, ethics and the decolonisation of knowledge.

He urged scholars to ensure that academic work went beyond classrooms and libraries to challenge injustice and contribute to human development.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Munzali Jibrin, commended the organisers for recognising and honouring scholarly merit.

Professor Bawa Hassan Gusau, who spoke on the theme, “The Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam I Know: Reflections on the Life, Ideas and Intellectual Contributions of the Honouree,” described Mu’azzam as a distinguished scholar known for his deep intellectual engagement and contributions to Marxist thought and radical scholarship in Nigeria.

He highlighted Mu’azzam’s influence on critical scholarship, particularly in political science, and his commitment to expanding knowledge and encouraging intellectual development.

Also speaking at the event, book reviewer Professor Jibril Ibrahim acknowledged Mu’azzam’s contributions to scholarship and the value of the publication in advancing knowledge.

The event brought together academics, intellectuals, friends, former students and associates of the honouree to celebrate his career and lasting influence.

Muhammad also acknowledged the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) for supporting the initiative, alongside the contributors, reviewers, editors and production team who helped bring the book to publication.

The programme featured the signing of the book and presentation of copies to guests.

Mu’azzam, a long-serving lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, is widely regarded as a mentor whose teaching and intellectual contributions have influenced generations of Nigerian academics and public intellectuals.