Ganduje: A Lifetime of Service Beyond Politics By Garba Yusuf Abubakar
In 1987, I was serving as the National Publicity Secretary of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), while also holding the position of Financial Secretary in the Kano State Area Unit. That year proved decisive in my personal journey of faith and leadership—it was also the year I first encountered Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
At the time, the MSSN was pioneering a bold initiative: a vocation-based Islamic training program comprising two components—the Islamic Training Program (ITP) for male students and the Muslim Mothers Intensive Annual Training (MUMINAT) for female students. These week-long camps were designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Islamic principles while preparing them to balance faith with everyday responsibilities.
To run such programs in government-owned schools, we needed approval from the authorities. Thankfully, the State Government gave its blessing, opening the door to an enduring initiative. Yet, while the spiritual and intellectual framework was in place, financial resources remained our greatest challenge.
In rallying support, we relied heavily on respected patrons. One of them was my mentor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau—then a college principal and later Governor of Kano State. Though his financial means were limited, his influence and dedication were invaluable in mobilizing support for MSSN.
It was in this context that the name Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appeared on our list of potential supporters. His contribution marked the beginning of a relationship with MSSN that would span decades and prove decisive at critical junctures.
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By 1994, when Dr. Ganduje was Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport, our paths crossed again. The MSSN needed additional support, and once more he rose to the occasion—this time, with generosity that exceeded our expectations. Assisted by another patron, Malam Sani Tofa, Ganduje’s donation went beyond the budgeted amount, firmly establishing him as not only a political leader but also a benefactor to the cause of Islamic education and youth development.
The most remarkable chapter in this relationship came in 2002. At the time, Ganduje was Deputy Governor of Kano State under Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. Meanwhile, Malam Shekarau—long a pillar of support for MSSN—had announced his intention to run for governor. This political development complicated matters for our programs, which depended in part on state funding.
That year, Governor Kwankwaso withheld the annual donation to MSSN, viewing Shekarau’s candidacy as a political threat. At such a moment, one might have expected Ganduje to toe the line of political loyalty. Instead, he chose a higher calling. Setting politics aside, he personally provided the funds needed to sustain the MSSN program.
This singular act revealed a man who could look beyond political rivalry to serve the cause of faith. It was in recognition of this devotion that MSSN honored him with the title Khadimul Islam—Servant of Islam.
Over the years, many have come to know Ganduje primarily as a politician—Governor, Deputy Governor, and now a national figure in Nigerian politics. Yet, his story is incomplete without acknowledging his quiet, consistent service to Islam and youth development. For MSSN, he was not merely a donor but a steadfast ally whose interventions often came at the most critical times.
In today’s climate, where politics often overshadows principles, Ganduje’s legacy reminds us that true leadership is measured not just by electoral victories but by the ability to serve selflessly when it matters most. His generosity in 2002, at the height of political rivalry, was not just an act of charity—it was a declaration that the service of Islam and humanity must stand above partisan lines.
History often judges leaders by their offices held and policies enacted. Yet, for those of us who witnessed Ganduje’s commitment firsthand, his enduring title remains Khadimul Islam. Long before political power defined him, he had already proven himself a servant of faith, community, and principle.
That, perhaps, is the truest measure of legacy.
Mallam Garba Yusuf Abubakar was a commissioner in Kano State
