Centre For Dryland Agriculture, BUK

BUK Inducts 149 New Doctors Bayero University Kano has inducted 149 newly qualified medical professionals—131 medical doctors and 18 dentists—at its 10th Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and 24th Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) induction ceremony held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Convocation Arena, New Campus.

2 CDA Staff Inducted into Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria Two staff members of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Professor Musa Bashir and Engineer Hashim Abba Yakasai, have been officially inducted into the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN). The induction ceremony, held on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Abuja, marks a significant professional milestone, as they are now certified Public Analysts. Congratulations to them on this well-earned achievement.

Two CDA Students Win Prestigious AfricaRice Research Scholarship The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) has recorded another major milestone as two of its postgraduate students, Mubarak Umar Dirdiu (MSc Sustainable Agriculture) and Usman Musa Adamu (MSc Natural Resource Management and Climate Change), secure a highly competitive research scholarship with the Africa Rice Center under the Carbon Offsetting Rice Emissions (CORE) project.

CDA, NASC Train Community Seed Producers to Strengthen Nigeria’s Seed System The Centre for Dryland Agriculture has intensified efforts to improve seed quality and agricultural productivity through the training of community-based seed producers, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Seeds Council. The training, held on April 22, 2026, brought together participants from farming community groups across Kano and Bauchi States, alongside representatives of five seed companies. It was designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to produce and maintain high-quality seeds within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

AfricaRice Selects CDA MSc Student for Fully Funded Six-Month Internship Usman Musa Adamu, a Master’s student at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, has been selected for a prestigious, fully funded six-month internship with the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice). He is currently studying Natural Resources Management and Climate Change, with a research focus on the effects of Azolla on greenhouse gas emissions, rice yield, and global warming potential. The internship, to be undertaken at AfricaRice’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, will provide him with practical exposure to cutting-edge research in sustainable rice production and climate-smart agriculture. AfricaRice is a pan-African Centre of Excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building. Its work is geared towards reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders along the rice value chain. The organisation places strong emphasis on increasing the productivity and profitability of rice-based systems while ensuring environmental sustainability. As one of the 15 research centres under the CGIAR, AfricaRice is part of a global network advancing agricultural innovation for a food-secure future. It also operates as an intergovernmental association of African member countries.

CDA Hosts Farmers’ Training on Adoption of Agricultural Biotechnology Crops* The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) has hosted a one-day training on the adoption of agricultural biotechnology crops for farmers from Kano and Jigawa states. The training, which took place on Monday, 13 April 2026, at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, was organized by the Institute for Agricultural Research in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation. The objectives of the training were to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and awareness of TELA maize, PBR cowpea, and Bt cotton; to facilitate inclusive dialogue on performance, profitability, safety, and market access; to address myths, misconceptions, and concerns regarding agricultural biotechnology; to promote farmer-to-farmer learning and the exchange of practical experiences; and to document farmers’ voices for advocacy, policy engagement, and communication. In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Sunusi Gaya Muhammed, explained that the forum was organized to discuss newly developed crop varieties and help farmers better understand modern agricultural technologies that can address challenges affecting farming.

Dr. Musa Bashir, Quality Manager, Laboratories and Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, has been elevated to the rank of Professor of Medical and Environmental Biochemistry, an achievement that marks a significant milestone for both the scholar and the Centre. This well-deserved promotion not only reflects Professor Bashir’s academic excellence and professional contributions but also stands as a strong testament to the Centre’s continued commitment to research, quality, and institutional distinction.

Dr. Amina Lawan Mustapha, Deputy Director of Outreach and Partnership, Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) has been elevated to the rank of Professor of Agricultural Economics. This well-deserved promotion reflects her outstanding contributions to scholarship, research, and service. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement.

Centre for Dryland Agriculture wishes it's esteemed partners, students, staff and social media followers joyous Eid Mubarak celebration

The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, inaugurated the Sectoral Industry Advisory Board (SIAB) of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), with Hajiya Dr Salamatu Garba, Chairperson of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) International Group, as Chair of the Board. Inaugurating the Board, the Vice-Chancellor said the calibre of professionals appointed to the Board would significantly strengthen the capacity of CDA to advance food security in Nigeria. He prayed for divine guidance for the members as they undertake what he described as a demanding and strategic responsibility. for sustaining the Centre beyond the expiration of World Bank funding. The meeting was chaired by the Board Chairperson, Hajiya Dr Salamatu Garba.

Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Haruna Musa Musa, fsi, on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, formally launched the Skills Improvement to Boost Livelihood and Nurture Growth (SIBLING) Project, describing it as the start of a transformative journey for the university community—particularly students and junior staff who stand to benefit directly from the intervention. Speaking at the launch, the Vice-Chancellor said the SIBLING initiative is a carefully conceived response to some of the pressing challenges facing agricultural education and food security in Nigeria. He explained that the two-year pilot programme is designed to bridge the long-standing gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, a gap that has constrained the employability and productivity of agriculture graduates. The Chairperson of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Dr Salamatu Garba, who spearheaded the initiative in collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) and the Faculty of Agriculture, said the project aims to instil improved farming production and processing practices among younger students and wives of junior staff. According to her, the goal is to enable beneficiaries to become self-reliant and to embrace agriculture as a sustainable source of income in the face of rapid population growth, rising food demand, and persistent food shortages.

CDA Director, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed and Management Team of CDA Inspected SIBLING Project Facilities Ahead of Commissioning next week

The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, held an interactive session with e-Health Africa to fine-tune a proposed geospatial training curriculum for public health professionals, aimed at addressing a critical skills gap in the sector. The meeting, which focused on the structure and content of the programme, was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, underscoring the University’s support for capacity-building initiatives that bridge academia and industry. Welcoming the e-Health Africa delegation, the Director of CDA, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, noted that the partnership between CDA and e-Health Africa dates back to 2014. He highlighted the Centre’s strong expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), adding that CDA boasts one of the best-equipped geospatial laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities in the region. Speaking on behalf of e-Health Africa, the Associate Manager, GIS/Data Analytics, Mr Victor Idakwo, explained that the proposed curriculum is designed to train public health professionals at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. He added that a key objective of the initiative is to institutionalise the programme at CDA, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.

We are glad to share that Dr Victor Afari-Sefa (@SefaAfari), Global Research Program Director - Transforming Agrifood System, ICRISAT, has been appointed as a member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of Centre for Dryland Agriculture (@CDA_BUK), BAYERO UNIVERSITY (@BUK_Nigeria), KANO. Join us in congratulating Dr Afari-Sefa!

CDA Appoints Dr Salamatu Garba Chair Industry Advisory Board The Centre for Drylands Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, has appointed Dr Salamatu Garba, founder and executive board chair of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) Group, as chairperson of its sectoral and industry advisory board. The appointment, initially for a three-year term, underscored the university’s recognition of Dr. Garba’s decades-long leadership in agricultural development and her sustained work in advancing the livelihoods of women and young people. #cda #wofan #siab #Industry #board

Chinese Consortiums Visit CDA to Advance Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer A delegation of Chinese consortiums under the aegis of the Hubei Technology Market Association, Wuhan, paid a strategic visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) in 2026 to explore opportunities for collaboration in agricultural technology, research, and development. The engagement is aimed at strengthening food security, promoting agricultural exchange, and advancing research-driven innovation between China and Nigeria. The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Hubei Technology Market Association, Mr. Zheng Ming Zhu, and facilitated by the Country Representative, Professor Yuan Gou Bao, was received by the Director of CDA, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, alongside the Centre’s Deputy Directors and management team. The visitors were taken on a tour of the CDA Training and Research Farm, including fields where carrot varieties—grown from seedlings earlier received from China—are currently thriving. Members of the Chinese delegation expressed satisfaction at the successful adaptation and growth of their carrot and rapeseed varieties within CDA’s farm environment. The visit forms part of ongoing discussions between the Chinese consortiums, CDA, which included nine other Nigerian universities to establish a Technology Transfer Centre and deepen agricultural cooperation for mutual benefit and sustainable development in both countries.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Aminu Alhassan Fagge, a Research Fellow at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, on his well-deserved promotion to the rank of Professor of Agronomy. This milestone achievement was approved at the University Council’s Appointments and Promotions Committee (A&PC) meeting held on Friday, 9th January 2026. Congratulations, Professor Aminu Alhassan Fagge! 👏🎉 Your dedication to scholarship and agricultural research continues to inspire.

CDA, WOFAN Partner to Train 300 Agric Students Annually, Empower Women in Agribusiness The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, in collaboration with the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and the Faculty of Agriculture, has concluded plans to train 300 Agriculture students annually in agribusiness, value addition, processing, and production under the SIBLING Project. The initiative, which targets 300–400 level students of the Faculty of Agriculture, was disclosed during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, by a joint delegation from WOFAN, CDA and the Faculty of Agriculture, led respectively by WOFAN’s Executive Director, Dr Salamatu Garba, the CDA Director, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, and the Dean of Agriculture, Professor Muhammad Auwal Hussain. Under the project, CDA has allocated a two-hectare demonstration plot, while the Faculty of Agriculture has provided 25 hectares for large-scale production and training activities. The programme also includes practical exposure to agricultural value chains and entrepreneurship. Receiving the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor commended the partnership, describing it as a strategic intervention for youth and women empowerment, particularly noting that 180 out of the 300 trainees are women. He emphasized the need to prioritise wives of junior staff, the less privileged, and surrounding communities, adding that the initiative would strengthen town-and-gown relations and promote inclusive development. Earlier, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed highlighted the long-standing collaboration between CDA and WOFAN, noting that the partnership had recently expanded to include access to a national storage facility secured through the National Storage Productivity Institute of Nigeria. He added that WOFAN has also committed to providing processing machinery to support hands-on training for students. In her remarks, Dr Salamatu Garba said the initiative was designed to change the narrative of women and youth participation in agriculture through practical skills, access to land, inputs, and guaranteed markets. She revealed plans to introduce processing and packaging of agricultural produce, including a proposed “CDA/WOFAN Rice” brand for sale within the university community. She explained that women participants would be allocated plots from the designated farmland, with WOFAN providing land preparation, inputs at subsidised rates, and immediate purchase of harvested produce. Outstanding students, she added, would receive start-up support, including equipment, storage facilities, and small grants. The Chairman of the WOFAN Board, Professor Sani Miko, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for supporting what he described as a credible and sustainable partnership, noting that the SIBLING initiative is driven by research outputs aimed at transforming livelihoods through commercial agriculture. He said CDA’s expertise in dryland agriculture and value addition makes it a critical stakeholder in the project. Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Muhammad Auwal Hussain, explained that the initiative originated from a request by a group of students and wives of staff who approached WOFAN for support, leading to their invitation to present proposals under the project. He added that two communities from Zango were deliberately included in the programme to further strengthen town-and-gown relations and promote inclusive community development.

Season’s Greetings from CDA, BUK 🎄 The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, warmly extends its heartfelt Christmas greetings to our Christian students, partners, stakeholders, and industry collaborators. May this season of love, hope, and renewal bring peace, joy, and continued success in all our shared efforts toward sustainable agriculture and development. Merry Christmas and Happy Celebrations!

Season’s Greetings from CDA, BUK 🎄 The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, warmly extends its heartfelt Christmas greetings to our Christian students, partners, stakeholders, and industry collaborators. May this season of love, hope, and renewal bring peace, joy, and continued success in all our shared efforts toward sustainable agriculture and development. Merry Christmas and Happy Celebrations!