SLUK Lecturer Wins Prestigious King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation

Dr. Zaidu Jibril Muhammad, a Lecturer 1 in the Department of Arabic at Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa (SLUK), has made history by becoming the first African to receive the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

The award was presented to him by the Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yusuf Al-Binyan, during a ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea, on September 30, 2025.

Dr. Muhammad's achievement recognizes his outstanding work in translating the Arabic literary classic "Maqāmāt al-Ḥarīrī" into the Hausa language, titled "Dandalin Hikimomi". The Prize's Board of Trustees praised the translation for its scholarly depth and cultural significance, highlighting its contribution to African scholarship and cross-cultural understanding.

Dr. Zaidu Jibril Muhammad is a prolific author with four major Hausa translations of classical Arabic works. He holds a Ph.D. in Arabic Language and has published 15 academic articles in national and international journals. His achievement is a landmark not just for Nigeria but for the entire African continent ¹.

The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation recognizes excellence in translating Arabic works into other languages and vice versa. Dr. Muhammad's win underscores the importance of translation in fostering mutual understanding among people and promoting cultural and scientific exchange across languages.