Remembering Dr. Bukar Shuaib: A Veterinary Luminary's Enduring Legacy, 20 Years On (Part II)

I had the distinct privilege of sharing a vehicle with esteemed figures on a bright July morning in 1979. In my second year with the authority, assigned as an administrative officer in the General Manager’s office, I also served as the secretary for several committees, including the one tasked with launching the South Chad Irrigation Project (SCIP).

The road from Maiduguri to Dikwa, a well-paved 80km stretch with an additional 22km detour to New Marte, had been completed the preceding year. Our journey to the project headquarters took less than an hour. During this brief trip, the General Manager, AJKG Imam, was updating Dr. Shuaib on the project's launch, particularly the Head of State's perceptions of the established infrastructure and its future prospects.

Upon arriving at New Marte, we toured the impressive crop fields, the irrigation canals, and the pumping station, all areas previously showcased to the Head of State. We also visited the settlements of Kirenowa, Logomani, Ala, and others. At various stops, Dr. Shuaib engaged with the farmers, posing questions and seemingly reminiscing about his early fieldwork in the 1950s. This demonstrated his characteristic dedication to closely overseeing projects close to his heart, even when he was no longer directly involved with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (FMAWR).

He held a profound and enduring interest in the progress of the basin authorities, especially the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), Sokoto- Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRBDA), and Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authorities. He believed these were the most promising, and that their waters, if properly managed, could significantly bolster the nation's food security. It is likely that many officials who served within these authorities, and potentially other FMAWR departments, have similar accounts of Dr. Shuaib's deep involvement. Fortunately, his career path did not keep him away from significant national roles for long. When Shehu Shagari assumed the presidency in 1979, he appointed Bukar Shuaib as the National Security Adviser (NSA).

This was a rare instance of a civilian holding such a crucial national security position. It proved to be a fortunate appointment, as President Shagari prioritized food security, an area where Dr. Shuaib possessed extensive knowledge and experience. The ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) placed a strong emphasis on agriculture, championing the Green Revolution, with Dr. Shuaib playing a central role in this initiative. The Green Revolution was a well-conceived program, building upon the previous administration's 'Operation Feed the Nation' (OFN), but its implementation was unfortunately marred by political interference.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Shuaib emerged from this period with his reputation intact. When the military seized power on December 31, 1983, the new government led by General Muhammadu Buhari appointed Dr. Shuaib as the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources. This marked a return to familiar territory, working alongside many colleagues he had known for years. The ministry buzzed with renewed energy, and work intensified across all its departments. It is understood that Dr. Shuaib viewed the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) as the primary instruments for implementing federal government agricultural policies, directing a substantial portion of the FMAWR's budget towards them to strengthen grassroots initiatives and the federal government's influence in state-level farming.

During this time, the federal government's agricultural presence across the states undoubtedly saw a significant expansion. However, his tenure was brief, as internal disagreements within the military leadership led to a change in government in August 1985. A palace coup, orchestrated by General Ibrahim Babangida, resulted in Dr. Shuaib's departure from his ministerial position in the subsequent reshuffle.

Notwithstanding these political shifts, he continued to serve as a key agricultural advisor to subsequent administrations, with the federal government consistently leveraging his expertise and extensive international connections. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Shuaib continued to chair numerous committees focused on agriculture and environmental issues. He led the Federal Environmental Protection Agency from its establishment in 1988 until it was elevated to ministerial status in the 1990s. He also chaired the National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Research until 1999.

Earlier in his career, he had served as a member, and later as Chairman, of the Board of Trustees for both the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan and the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Abidjan. On a broader international stage, Dr. Shuaib was a consistent presence at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), representing Nigeria for many years and occasionally serving as its chairman. At the West African regional level, Dr. Shuaib played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue among subregional heads of state, leading to the formation of both the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), headquartered in N’Djamena, and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), based in Niamey. He represented Nigeria in these regional bodies for an extended period.

In his later years, Dr. Shuaib settled permanently in his residence near the Custom Bridge in Maiduguri. He dedicated his time to his childhood friends and former classmates, including Ambassador Bukar Kolo, Dr. Musa Goni, Engr. Tata Askira, Bukar Marte, and Prof. Umaru Shehu. He remained accessible, maintaining an open-door policy for those seeking his counsel and readily connecting individuals with his extensive network.