Dr Mohammed Kebiru Ibrahim, the new Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, hails from Okaba, Ojoku District in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. A muslim by birth, conviction and devotion, Dr Ibrahim spent his formative years in Makurdi, Benue State, where he had his early educationunder the direct guidance of his father, a seasoned civil servant, AlhajiAbubakar Kola Ibrahim, and mother, Hajiya TalatuIbrahim
Education
Right from his early years, the new Provost has always had a distinctive passion for the best in academic exploits. This began with his first taste of western education at the Royal Kindergarten Primary School, Makurdi, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He proceeded to the ECWA Secondary School, Makurdi, in 1995, and obtained his Senior School Certificate from the institution in the year 2000. In 2001, the young Kebiru was among the second set of students admitted into the Bachelor in Agriculture (B.Agric.) programme in the then newly established Kogi State University, Anyigba, from where he graduated with Honours in 2005.
In view of his avowed passion and unwavering appetite for learning, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2007 and obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Agricultural Economics in 2009. This in itself was outstanding, as he made it within a two year minimum calendar period required for the progarmme.
In 2011, the future Provost took his quest for academic exploits beyond the shores of Nigeria as he proceeded to the University of Reading, the United Kingdom, for a PhD programme in Agricultural and Food Economics. He successfully completed the programme in 2014. Meeting the minimum period of three minimum years required for the progamme was, again, an outstanding record.
Employment and Career Advancement
The new Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, has been a university teacher all his life, and all virtually devoted to the promotion of academic excellence in Kogi State University, Anyigba. He joined the services of the University as a Graduate Assistant in the year 2007. Since then, he has been involved in teaching and mentoring of students, conducting research, assisting in administration and engaging in community service.
In the area of teaching, he hastaught and supervised students at the undergraduate, Master and PhD levels. Among the courses taught include Data Programming and Analysis (PhD level), Macroeconomics and Advanced Econometrics (M.Sc level), and Econometric, Environmental Economics and Agricultural Policy and Development (undergraduate level).
In the area of research, Dr Ibrahim is well on his way to recording his name boldly among the intellectual giants in the field of Agricultural Economics. On this score, he was co-consultant on the recently concluded “Market Study for Cassava Stems and Roots in Kogi State” funded by the Catholic Relief Services – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was involved in the study of Resource Feasibility on Market Information and Opportunity for Cassava, Rice and Cashew for APPEALS, Kogi State Coordination Office (2020). He has also been a Senior Researcher in the Agricultural-Value Addition and Post-Harvest Loss Management Research Group, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kogi State University since 2017; Consultant/Technical Expert in the Drafting of the Kebbi State Agricultural Policy Framework, funded by USAID Nigeria through the Feed the Future (Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project) and KebbiState Government (2017 – 2020); Research Adviser, Field Survey on the Impact of Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Scheme among Farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria, funded by IFPRI and Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project (NAPP) and Michigan State University (MSU), U.S.A. (2018); and Team Leader, Training on Statistical Data Analysis using STATA among Academic Staff of Universities and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ebonyi, Delta, Niger, and Kebbi States, funded by IFPRI and Michigan State University, U.S.A. (2017). In addition, Dr Ibrahim was a Principal Facilitator, Training Workshop on “Data Presentation and Interpretation” organized by Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project of the Michigan State University in Abuja (2017); and a Visiting Senior Research Follow to the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, United State of America (2018).
In the area of administration, Dr Ibrahim’s astuteness cuts across Departments, Faculties and general University administration. At the Departmental level, he has been Chairman, Committee on Anti-cultism Campaign (May, 2020 – Till Date); Academic Adviser, 100 level students (2016 – Till Date); SIWES Coordinator (2016 – 2020); Chairman, Undergraduate Curriculum Review Committee (2019); Secretary, Postgraduate Curriculum Review Committee (2017); Secretary, Strategic Plan Review Committee (2016); and Managing Editor, International Journal of Agricultural Economics Management and Development (Published by the Department of AgriculturalEconomics of the University (Mach 2015-Till Date)
At the Faculty level, he has served as Chairman, Faculty Committee of Examination Officers; Faculty Examination Officer; Faculty Timetable Officer;Chairman, Faculty Committee on Field Trip and Chairman, Faculty Undergraduate Screening Committee.
At the general University level, Dr Ibrahim has served as Member/Faculty Representative, University Committee on E-Learning (May, 2020 – Till Date); Coordinator, SIWES (2018 –2020); Member, University Committee on Research Policy Development (2018); Deputy Director, Directorate for Research and Innovation (2018 – 2020); Member, University Senate (2018 – Till Date);Member, Postgraduate Committee on Admissions and Results (2015 – 2018), Member, Committee of Faculty Examination Officers (2016 – Till Date), and until this appointment, Chairman, Kogi State University E-Examination Committee.
Dr Ibrahim who is currently a Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics has an extensive research interest in Agro-Value Chain Analysis, Post-Harvest Loss Management and Livelihood of the Rural Population.
Community Service
Dr Mohammed Kebiru Ibrahim has an infectious devotion to social networking and community development. This has earned him accolades and recognitions in notable social and professional circles within and outside Kogi State. He isPresident-Elect, Rotary Club of Anyigba-Metro (2020);National President, Kogi State University Alumni Association (2018 – Till Date);Financial Secretary, Savannah Staff Co-operative Society (2018 – Till Date); and Vice-Chairman PTA, Premier Kinder Model Academy, Anyigba, Kogi State. (2018). He has served as Project Coordinator, Rotary Club, Kogi State University (2017), Faculty Adviser,and Enactus, Kogi State University (2015 –Till Date).
Publications and Paper Presentations
The new Provost has published over 40 articles in reputable peer reviewed journals within and outside the country and contributed chapters to books. He has also presented papers at conferences within and outside Nigeria.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Dr Ibrahim is a distinguished member of reputable professional bodies within and outside Nigeria. He is Member, Agricultural Economics Society (AES), United Kingdom;Member, African Association of Agricultural Economists(AAAE); Member, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists(NAAE); and Member, Farm Management Association of Nigeria(FAMAN).
Sociability and Personal Principle
Dr Ibrahim is an unassuming and amiable fellow who easily makes friends across religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic persuasions. He is very open, accessible, and gives due respect to the highs and lows. Although he can be very tolerant to a fault, he is also a devoted servant of firmness and decisiveness. His avowed principle is that “Everything Attainable Comes by Hardwork and Unwavering Faith in Personal Convictions”.
Hobbies and Family Life
The new Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, loves reading, hiking and cooking. He is happily married, and the marriage is blessed with children.