Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has appointed His Royal Highness, Justice (Rtd) Sidi Muhammad Bage, the Emir of Lafia, as the new Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano.
The announcement was made public on Sunday through a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to bridging Nigeria’s cultural heritage with academic excellence, while promoting leadership rooted in integrity and national service.
Born on June 22, 1956, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Justice Bage’s career is distinguished by decades of service in Nigeria’s judiciary. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He rose through the ranks from magistrate to High Court judge, then to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately became a Supreme Court Justice in 2017.
In March 2019, following the death of Emir Isa Mustapha Agwai I, he ascended the throne as the 17th Emir of Lafia, bringing to the traditional institution a legacy of justice, wisdom, and national unity.
"By entrusting Emir Bage with the chancellorship, Northwest University, Kano, continues its tradition of drawing from Nigeria’s most accomplished and principled leaders to serve in ceremonial and advisory capacities," the statement noted.
Governor Yusuf emphasized that the choice of Emir Bage was a strategic one, saying:
“Appointing a former Supreme Court Justice and respected monarch is a deliberate decision that reflects our commitment to academic excellence, moral integrity, and national cohesion.”
The governor also praised the Emir’s record of fairness, wisdom, and civic leadership, stating that these qualities would serve as an inspiration to students and faculty alike.
The official appointment letter was delivered personally to the Emir in Lafia by the Chairman of the University Council, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, accompanied by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa.
