Muazzam Institute of philosophy and political theory
Activity Timeline : 28th – 30th November, 2023
The Muazzam Institute of Philosophy and Political Theory, an initiative of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), conducted its annual flagship activity from November 28th to 30th, 2023, at the Kano CITAD office. This three-day intensive program aimed to equip participants with critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of philosophical approaches to societal problems. Named after Mallam Ibrahim Mu’azzam, the institute was established by CITAD to mentor and address the declining quality of teaching philosophy and political theory to young people. In the 2023 cohort, 36 participants were trained, consisting of 27 males and 9 females.
Through engaging lectures, discussions, and exercises, the Institute successfully reshaped the mindsets of participating youths, transitioning them from vertical to lateral thinking.
In his goodwill message, the Institute’s Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Aliyu, encouraged graduates to utilize the knowledge gained for self-development and community contribution as a corporate responsibility.
Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam is a former lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, and mentor of the Institute, highlighted the role of philosophy and critical thinking in illuminating human inquiry and understanding. He emphasized its role in examining life’s complexities, reflecting on ethics, truth, and the human condition.
Mu’azzam further highlighted that the Institute’s aim to foster reasoned discourse among young people, promoting clarity of thought, open-mindedness, and empathy toward diverse viewpoints.
The Mu’azzam Ibrahim Institute of Philosophy and Political Theory’s commitment to fostering critical thinking and philosophical inquiry among young Nigerians promises to have a lasting impact on the country’s intellectual landscape.
Additionally, Ibrahim Bello Kano from Bayero University’s Department of English and European Languages co-chaired the Institute, focusing on cultivating a reading culture and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and reading skills in navigating today’s complex world. He highlighted reading as essential for comprehension, knowledge expansion, and empathy cultivation by exposing the younger generation to diverse perspectives and ideas.
CITAD, as the founder of the Institute, recognized the absence of such bodies as a significant factor contributing to the decline in the quality of education in Nigerian universities.