(PRESS STATEMENT)
PROFESSOR TIJJANI MUHAMMAD-BANDE, GCON, TURBANED AS BARADEN BESSE
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State — 15 August 2026
A large delegation of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), led respectively by the AANI President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, and the Director of Studies, Mrs Salma Mann, mni, attended the formal turbaning of Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, GCON, as the District Head of Besse (Baraden Besse) by His Royal Highness, Major-General (rtd) Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar, CFR, mni, Emir of Gwandu, at the Abdullahi Fodio Palace, Birnin Kebbi.
The colourful ceremony, witnessed by the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasiru Idris, and attended by a distinguished gathering of traditional rulers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics and civil society leaders, marked Professor Muhammad-Bande’s formal assumption of the traditional office of Baraden Besse, a title historically held by his forebears.
The strong presence of both AANI and NIPSS reflected the deep respect and enduring institutional relationship associated with Professor Muhammad-Bande’s distinguished service to Nigeria and his leadership of the National Institute.
Professor Muhammad-Bande brings to his new traditional responsibility an exceptional record of service spanning academia, strategic policy, public administration and international diplomacy.
He served as Director-General of NIPSS, Kuru, from 2010 to 2016, providing strategic leadership to Nigeria’s premier policy and strategic studies institution. His tenure contributed significantly to the Institute’s mandate of developing strategic leadership, strengthening policy research and promoting informed national discourse on critical issues affecting Nigeria.
Prior to his appointment as Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Muhammad-Bande had established an outstanding academic career at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he rose from Graduate Assistant to the rank of Professor and subsequently served as Vice-Chancellor from 2004 to 2009.
His distinguished career later extended to the international arena, where he served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 2019, he was elected President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming only the second Nigerian to occupy that prestigious position.
His emergence as Baraden Besse therefore represents a significant new chapter in Professor Muhammad-Bande’s distinguished service to the nation and the international community, as well as an opportunity to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the development of his ancestral community.
AANI considers the conferment of the Baraden Besse title on Professor Muhammad-Bande a fitting recognition of his exceptional accomplishments, distinguished service, leadership, scholarship and enduring commitment to the development of Nigeria.
The Association is particularly pleased that a former Director-General of NIPSS has been entrusted with this important traditional responsibility and is confident that the new Baraden Besse will bring to the office the same wisdom, integrity, intellectual depth and commitment to service that have characterised his remarkable career.
AANI congratulates the Baraden Besse, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, GCON, and wishes him a successful and impactful tenure. The Association prays for continued wisdom, good health and strength as he assumes this important traditional responsibility and contributes to the peace, unity and development of Besse, the Gwandu Emirate and Nigeria at large.
E-Signed:
Engineer Jude Ifeanyi Ngama mni
AANI National Publicity Secretary
