Dr. Kole Shettima: A Legacy of Service, Humility, and Youth Empowerment
By Haruna Mohammed Salisu
Dr Kole Shettima is a household name in Nigeria. Writing about a man of his stature is both an honour and a challenge. How do I capture the essence of someone whose life’s work has touched so many yet who remains so humble about it? Dr. Shettima’s recent recognition by the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, is more than a ceremonial title – it is a matter of who the cap fits, they say, should wear it. It is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contributions to society, his enduring generosity and his quiet wisdom.
As I joined many to celebrate this man, I could not help but be personal in my reflections about Dr. Kole. His impact is not just a matter of public record but a story that resonates in the hearts of countless individuals like me who have been directly touched and inspired by his example. When I resolved to pen this tribute to a man of honour, I had to wander around for a moment, asking myself, how do I start this? What will I write about this man that others have not done so already, perhaps in a better way? It’s very difficult to write about people who have achieved so much in their lives.
But as the saying goes, even the tallest tree casts its seed upon the ground below. A proverb that reminds us that, no matter how many have sung someone’s praises, there is always room to plant fresh reflections on a life so richly sown in service as that of Dr. Kole. And so, I write once more about Dr. Kole Shettima, not because his story is unfinished, but because each telling deepens our gratitude for a man who has nurtured a nation’s future with such unassuming grace.
My dream of a credible investigative outlet in Northern Nigeria was slipping away under financial strain and legal threats, until I met Dr. Kole. I remembered how one evening changed the narrative when a message pinged on my phone: “Send me your e-mails; let’s see how we can help.”
Those few words were the beginning of a floodgate—grant opportunities from reputable foundations, invitations to international conferences, and personal encouragement that revitalised my resolve and commitment to WikkiTimes and Nigeria. At that moment, I understood what proper mentorship looks like and how a single act of belief and support can transform despair into determination. Meeting Dr. Kole changed my story from one of despair to one of greater determination to continue fighting and struggling on behalf of those who cannot.
The many times Dr. Kole has reached out to me, he would simply ask, “Are you okay?” These words carry a depth of care that many of us have hardly experienced from mentors. When legal threats mounted against WikkiTimes, he didn’t just offer moral support; he connected me with legal aid organisations that defrayed court costs, allowing my outlet to continue its investigative work. When other team members in the newsroom faced security dangers, he helped secure relocation grants.
His support has been a bulwark against despair. I remember one sleepless night, I was overwhelmed by deadlines and threats. My phone buzzed with his name. When I picked, he said, “Remember why you started. Nigeria needs the truth, and you have the courage to tell it.”
His reminder rekindled my resolve and also encapsulates Dr. Kole’s gift: he sees the best in you and reminds you of it, even when you cannot see it yourself.
At every conference—from Abuja to Johannesburg and Sweden—Dr. Kole would usually seek me out in the crowd, lay a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and ask, “How is your team holding up?” Those simple pleasantries mean the world to me. They show genuine commitment, support and concern. Although his schedule is packed with meetings and speeches, he always makes time for young journalists, activists, and students.
When I received admission to pursue graduate studies in the United States, he quietly wired me personal funds to support my travel expenses, accompanied by a note of his kind words: “Invest in yourself; Nigeria needs you.” It was simply a generous soul helping his fellow human to dream bigger. That act—so monumental in practice—was something I will not forget.
Dr. Kole’s generosity extends beyond my story. Through the MacArthur Foundation, which he has led in Africa for many years now, he has supported and directed millions of dollars in grants across Nigeria, funding hundreds of organisations working in human rights, education, governance, and anti-corruption. He has not only financed those outlets through the foundation he led, but also frequently checked on them, offered career advice, and connected them with networks of support.
If there is one thread that weaves through every chapter of Dr. Shettima’s life, it is his belief in the potential of young minds. His stint in the development world has led to the creation of many leadership development organisations, specifically targeting emerging Nigerian leaders. Today, dozens of prominent activists, academics, and policymakers trace their careers back to various interventions, thanks to Dr. Kole.
He recognised early on that tomorrow’s leaders would need tech-savvy skills to hold power to account. So he backed civic-tech incubators, digital journalism newsrooms, and hackathons, addressing local governance challenges. His foresight helped launch platforms where young Nigerians now track public spending, map community resources, and report human rights abuses. Think of platforms like BudgIT, Dataphite, WikkiTimes, etc—all are shaped and supported with seed funding, thanks to the organisation he leads.
Dr. Kole’s wisdom always reminds me that no single person can solve all problems, as they say, but we can each do our part and lift others as we climb. It is a philosophy he lives by daily. Bridging divides between ethnic groups, sectors, and generations and forging alliances that amplify impact. His life demonstrates that integrity and kindness can coexist with effectiveness.
As Dr. Kole Shettima dons his honorary doctoral cap, let us remember that his real degrees are written in the hearts of those he has touched. The universities strengthened, the grants awarded, and the organizations incubated will all stand as monuments to his vision—but the truest measure of his impact lies in the lives transformed.
In every young person he mentors, every grant he approves, and every word of encouragement he offers, Dr. Kole expresses his belief that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its people. He has planted seeds of hope, opportunity, and integrity across the country; now, it is up to us to nurture those seeds into forests of progress.
Congratulations, Dr. Kole Shettima. Your honorary doctorate is but a symbol of the esteem in which we hold you. Your relentless service, humility, and commitment to youth empowerment offer us not only inspiration but also a genuine clue for leadership. May we all strive to emulate your example: to serve selflessly, to uplift generously, and to lead with kindness and integrity.
May your life continue to remind us that no matter how tall the tree, its seeds can fall far and wide—nourishing the ground where future forests will rise. We will carry your torch forward, build on the foundation you have laid, until the promise of our nation is fully realised.
Haruna Mohammed Salisu Publishes WikkiTimes. He writes from Indiana, USA.
