Dr. Musa Labaran: A Rare Blend of Scholarship and Humanity
By Gambo S. Nababa
On Monday, May 25, 2026—just 22 days away from his 43rd birthday, the Bayero University Kano (BUK) academic community lost a bright light. Dr. Musa Adamu Labaran returned to his Creator. Born on June 16, 1983, in the Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Dr. Labaran leaves behind a legacy of dedication, humility, and profound service.
He began his career at the BUK in May 2012 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Mass Communication. Through sheer hard work and a passion for scholarship, he rose steadily through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in 2024.Throughout his career, he was known as an easygoing, dedicated, and lifelong learner. He maintained a cordial relationship with his students, treated younger colleagues with humility, and showed utmost respect to his seniors.
For many years, he diligently ran the Departmental Examinations Office, handling sensitive matters with maximum fairness. Thanks to his firm yet compassionate enforcement of rules, exam misconduct drastically reduced, earning him a reputation as one of the best examination officers in the Faculty.
Despite his youth, Dr. Labaran’s commitment did not go unnoticed. In 2023, he was appointed Acting Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Communication. He was officially elected to the substantive role in May 2024.
Demonstrating the immense trust he commanded, on Thursday, May 14, 2026, he was re-elected unopposed for a second two-year term, a tenure, tragically, he would not live to see.
As Deputy Dean, he was a vibrant and active voice for the Faculty at central University meetings, particularly in matters concerning student welfare and academic excellence. Even as a leader, his humility never wavered; he never hesitated to seek guidance when facing difficult challenges. Heartbreakingly, just hours before his passing, he was actively consulting and setting up appointments to resolve student issues.
Dr. Labaran was a pillar of his community, actively participating in religious affairs and local development projects. He was passionate about youth mentorship, guiding countless young people through career counseling and helping them secure tertiary admissions.
His educational foundations were laid at Makarfi Central Primary School (1990) and Government Secondary School Makarfi (2001). He went on to earn a National Diploma in Mass Communication from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria (2004), followed by his B.Sc. (2010), M.Sc. (2015), and Ph.D. (2022) from his beloved alma mater, BUK.
Dr. Labaran is survived by his two wives—Shamsiyya Ahmad Rufa’i, a postgraduate student in the Faculty of Education, BUK, and Dr. Ummi Muhammad Hassan, a promising academic in the Department of Mass Communication and seven children (four sons and three daughters).
May Almighty Allah bless his family, forgive his shortcomings, and grant him the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nababa is the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, and can be reached @ getgambo@gmail.com