In the heart of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, a quiet yet profound transformation is underway in the town of Ilesha Baruba, driven by a unique blend of traditional leadership and academic brilliance. At the center of this transformation is His Royal Highness, Prof. Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar, the Emir of Ilesha Baruba, whose royal stewardship is redefining the role of traditional rulers in modern development.
Born on January 14, 1948, in Lesa-Borgu, Kwara State, Prof. Abubakar’s journey is marked by unrelenting dedication, intellectual excellence, and public service. Before ascending the throne, he rose through the ranks of academia to become an Emeritus Professor of Public Finance at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. With academic laurels from prestigious institutions such as the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), and Harvard University, USA, the Emir is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished scholar-kings.
His professional journey includes roles as a Planning Officer at the Ministry of Economic Development in Ilorin; a Senior Lecturer at ABU Zaria from 1978; and an Investment Officer during his NYSC service year in Ibadan. He has also served as Board Chairman of Harmony Holdings Limited and as a member of the Governing Council of Kwara State University (KWASU), Molete. These roles highlight not only his intellectual depth but also a wealth of administrative and development experience.
Today, as the Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof. Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar is leveraging his academic and leadership expertise to promote education and youth development in his domain, most notably through his support for the take-off of the KWASU campus in Ilesha Baruba.
The Emir’s scholarly background has equipped him with a deep understanding of how education can catalyze community transformation. This vision is becoming a reality with the renewed push for academic activities to resume at the Ilesha Baruba campus of KWASU, particularly at the Faculty of Agriculture. The campus is expected to serve not only as a centre of learning but also as a hub for agricultural innovation and rural development across the region.
In a move to assess the campus’s readiness for resumption, the Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, recently led a high-powered government delegation on an inspection tour. The visit came in the wake of earlier security concerns that had delayed the start of academic sessions. However, the Commissioner assured students, parents, and university staff that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration had taken decisive measures to ensure safety.
“We understand the concerns of students and their families, especially following the recent incident in the community. However, we want to assure everyone that Gov. AbdulRazaq is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all Kwarans, including KWASU students. We are working round the clock to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for both staff and students,” she affirmed.
The delegation included key stakeholders such as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Salami Wasiu Onidugbe; the Special Assistant on Herdsmen Affairs, Hajia Aisha Yusuf; members of the university management including the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh; and other academic and administrative leaders. All expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure and the general preparedness of the campus.
Welcoming the team to his palace, Emir Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar expressed deep appreciation for the state government’s efforts and reassured the delegation of the community’s unwavering support for the university.
“We understand the concerns regarding security, but I want to reassure you that Ilesha Baruba is peaceful and fully prepared to host this institution. Our people are eager, our environment is welcoming, and we are committed to ensuring a stable and supportive atmosphere for academic activities,” the Emir stated.
He also appealed to Governor AbdulRazaq to formally commission the Ilesha Baruba campus, a gesture the community believes would mark the beginning of a new era of growth and educational advancement in the area.
Prof. Abubakar’s continued engagement in educational development is a powerful example of how traditional leadership can drive national progress. His advocacy for the KWASU campus in Ilesha Baruba transcends infrastructure; it reflects a long-term commitment to human capital development, especially in agriculture, a key sector of the region’s economy.
His reign illustrates how traditional institutions can serve not only as custodians of culture but also as catalysts for socio-economic advancement. Prof. Abubakar’s ability to bridge grassroots realities with global perspectives, gained through years of academic and public service, positions him uniquely to connect tradition with modernity.
The story unfolding in Ilesha Baruba is more than just the establishment of a university campus; it is a commitment to visionary leadership, strategic collaboration, and the transformative power of education. As students prepare to resume at the KWASU Ilesha Baruba campus, they will encounter more than lecture halls and laboratories, they will find a community eager to embrace them, led by a monarch who personifies the ideals they strive to achieve.
With the continued support of the Kwara State Government and the visionary leadership of Emir Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar, Ilesha Baruba is steadily emerging as a centre of learning in northern Kwara. The legacy of Prof. Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar is not only that of a scholar or a royal figure, it is the legacy of a visionary committed to building a brighter, educated future.