Last week, Kano State Polytechnic witnessed a series of handover ceremonies across its departments, units, schools, and specialized centres, marking the formal transition of leadership in various elected and appointed offices.
The ceremonies provided outgoing office holders with the opportunity to present reports on their stewardship, achievements, and ongoing initiatives, while officially transferring responsibilities to their successors.
The transitions reflect the institution’s commitment to continuity, accountability, and effective administration.
READ ON; NFCA seeks Governor Yusuf’s support for six coaches’ CAF Licence Courses
They also underscore the Polytechnic’s dedication to strengthening institutional governance by ensuring a seamless transfer of responsibilities and maintaining the momentum of academic and administrative activities.
For departments where the tenure of Heads of Department (HODs) had expired after the completion of two consecutive terms, fresh elections were conducted, allowing members of staff in the affected departments to elect new leaders in accordance with the Polytechnic’s established procedures.
In addition to the elective positions, the Management of Kano State Polytechnic made a number of strategic appointments to key leadership offices across its schools, centres, and institutes.
These appointments were based on institutional needs, professional competence, administrative experience, and other relevant considerations aimed at strengthening governance and enhancing service delivery.
Among those appointed was Dr. Garba Alhaji Adamu, who assumed office as the new Director of the Innovation and Vocational Entrepreneurship Institute (IVEI).
His appointment reflects the Polytechnic’s commitment to entrusting its specialised institutes to experienced academics with proven records in teaching, research, innovation, and institutional leadership, as the Institute continues to champion entrepreneurship, vocational education, innovation, and skills acquisition.
Dr Garba A. Adamu, popularly known as Dr. G. A., emerged as the new helmsman of the Institute taking over from the former Director, Engineer Auwalu Sunusi whom many described as Energetic and hard working.
One thing about Dr. G.A. Adamu is certain: he is a dedicated staff member whose perseverance and doggedness makes him achieve a lot as HOD of the Science Laboratory Technology and Physical Science Departments, School of Technology, as well as Director School of Continuing Education and Post Graduate Studies (SCEPS), Kano State Polytechnic. This record explains why the Polytechnic’s leadership considered him worthy of another demanding role and lost no time in appointing him to oversee the affairs of the Innovation and vocational education institute.
Dr. Garba A. Adamu’s rise to prominence was not achieved on a silver platter but through hard work and a passion to succeed. His reputation grew as he progressed through the ranks of Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer, and Chief Lecturer in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 respectively, at Kano State Polytechnic.
A respected and accomplished academic, Dr. G.A. has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Fasaha Journal of Science and Technology from 2017 to date, and as an Assessor for the Journal of Rural Technology and Entrepreneurship Development, Kano State Polytechnic, since 2018.
He is currently a reviewer and external examiner of several Polytechnics and Universities. He has also been a member of the Advisory Board of the Chemsearch Journal of Chemistry, a publication of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) since 2010, among various other positions held within and outside the Polytechnic.
He previously served as Head of the Instrumentation Laboratory (2004–2010), Sectional Head of Chemistry (2009–2011), and Deputy Examination Officer (2007–2013).
It was this same zeal and dedication to service that led members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kano Poly Chapter, to elect him to represent them on the Governing Council of Kano State Polytechnic and member of the Budget Monitoring Committee for the implementation of the needs assessment intervention projects from 2023 and 2026 respectively.
He has presented over 25 papers at national and international conferences within and outside Nigeria, with more than 18 publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, and has attended numerous national and international workshops, conferences, and seminars, including a Workshop on Information Technology Multimedia Simulation organized by Kano State Polytechnic and UNESCO (2009); a three-day Workshop on Techniques of Film Production organized by the Federation of UNESCO Clubs of Nigeria and the Nigerian Film Corporation, Jos, held at the Kano State House of Assembly (1997); and the 1st Annual International Conference organized by North-West University, Kano, titled “Science: A Tool for Achieving National Development,” held from November 8–12, 2015, at North-West University’s Kano City Campus, among others. He has served as Chairman and member of numerous National and International Conferences and Workshops in the course of his career.
Dr. G.A. is a lecturer of considerable academic standing and an authority in the field of Analytical Chemistry, as well as a man known for his sound judgment and devotion to duty.
He is regarded as a scholar of great distinction and an expert in Analytical Chemistry, with a strong passion for research and innovation. He is a fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria CSN, Member Institute of Chattered Chemist of Nigeria (ICCON) and Associate of the National Institute of Science Laboratory Technology.
My hope is that he will draw on the wealth of experience and commitment he has built over the decades to develop and expand the new environment in which he now finds himself — an outcome that will greatly benefit both the Polytechnic and Kano State at large.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Garba A. Adamu,a PhD graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is a man of considerable intellect and integrity. His contributions to the field of Analytical Chemistry have been described as revolutionary, and his commitment to advancing his field of study is both progressive and highly commendable.
Born at Unguwar Gini Quarters, Kwalli, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate from Kwalli Special Primary School, Kano, and Senior Secondary School Certificate from Government Senior Secondary School, Sharada, Kano, in 1988. He then studied at various institutions of higher learning including Kano State Polytechnic, Kaduna Polytechnic and Bayero University, Kano. In pursuit of further academic excellence, he enrolled at the renowned Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Analytical Chemistry in 2016.
Career Journey
Dr. Garba Alhaji Adamu began his career as an employee of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, in the Pathology Department’s Chemistry Section, as a Senior Laboratory Technologist. He was promoted to Head of the Pediatrics Side Laboratory.
Upon transferring his services to Kano State Polytechnic, he was posted to the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, School of Technology, as a Technologist in 2003. He subsequently rose through the ranks as Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer, and Chief Lecturer in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 respectively.
He has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Fasaha Journal of Science and Technology since 2017, as an Assessor for the Journal of Rural Technology and Entrepreneurship Development since 2018, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Chemsearch Journal of Chemistry since 2010.
Committee Work and Leadership Roles
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Garba Alhaji Adamu is highly sought after in academic circles for his organizational and administrative abilities. He is currently a Council member of the Dala College of Education, Kano, and member of the Technical and Implementation Committees for the creation of Gaya Polytechnic.
He was a member of the Federal government and Kano State government committees on the review of the national policy on Chemical handling and Kano State policy on Science and Technology. respectively.
He has served on numerous Polytechnic committees, including the Consultancy Services Committee, the Research and Academic Development Committee (RADC), the Chemsearch Conference Local Organizing Committee (2009), the Sports Coordination Committee of the School of Technology, and the ASUP Electoral Committee (2010).
He also served on the Kano State Polytechnic Registration Fees Review Committee (2015), the Local Organizing Committee for the UNESCO Conference (2015), the Classroom Allocation Committee (2015), and the Polytechnic Sub-Committee on Convocation (2017).
He was Coordinator of the National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology program in 2009, and Manager of the Entrepreneurship Study Centre (ESC) from 2011 to 2019. He is a certified member of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
Dr. Adamu has chaired several committees, including the National Conference on Science, Technology, Education, and National Development (2014); the Registration Committee, School of Technology (2015); the Examination Malpractice Committee, School of Technology (2015); the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, School of Technology (2017); and the Academic Conference Organizing Committee of the Entrepreneurship Study Centre, in partnership with Dala Computer Academy (2018).
He also served as Sit-in Chairman of the Senior Staff Promotion Committee meeting in 2015, Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee for the ASUP 3rd National Conference (2011), and a member of the Technical Sub-Committee for the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) National Conference (2009 and 2010).
He is an External Examiner for the Federal College of Agricultural Produce and an External Moderator at Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State. He also served on the Local Organizing Committee for the African International Conference on Research in Chemistry Education (ACRICE), hosted by the Chemical Society of Nigeria in Lagos State (2018), and was a reviewer for the Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, Science Domain, in 2017.
Research Contributions
Dr. G.A. has conducted several researches and fabrications sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. He supervised more than 40 student projects over the past twenty years in the field of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and has taught numerous courses during this period. Through entrepreneurship training programs, he has trained over fifteen thousand students in various trades and skills as Research and Training Manager.
Community Involvement
In terms of community development, Dr G.A is involved with many youth and community organizations includingKYPC and Inda-Kurma and has served as Vice-Chairman of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter. He is a consultant with International organizations including UNICEF a position that took him to several states of the federation on supportive supervision.
Dr. G.A., has traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Ghana , Benin Republic and Togo. He, is happily married with children. He enjoys reading and research. His major goal is to cultivate not just exceptional graduates, but ethical innovators, entrepreneurial leaders, and engaged citizens who lead with wisdom, creativity, and compassion to solve the complex challenges of our time.
