Stories of identical twins traversing and triumphing in life may be common, but the story of Professors Hassan and Hussain is strikingly different, amazing and unprecedented, to many Nigerians.
The identical twins, who were raised in Kaduna State, have always done things together from childhood till now that they are professors.
For Hassan and Hussain, life is a mixture of sorrow and happiness but the ability to surmount the hurdles is what makes life easier or otherwise.
They are both professors of agricultural economics who got their PhD from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. They obtained their first and second degrees from the famous Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
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The twin brothers went to the same schools from primary up to the university level, doing everything in common and amazingly got married same day and are at the moment blessed with five children each – four boys and one girl.
The interesting thing about these twin professors is that they chose lecturing as a profession and they currently work at the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State.
“Well, we have a firm believe that one of the best ways to impact positively in developing the society is to help in educating the people in our own ways. We resolved to go into the teaching profession to make our country a better place for all,” Hussain said.
Though the twins are introverts, that did not deter them from taking some bold steps of engaging into lecturing at a level regarded as the most tasking.
“Both of us have held various positions like examination officers, deputy directors, directors, heads of departments etc in this university even before venturing into lecturing, so that alone can tell you that we move together in all things.”
Though many people thought the twins were employed at the university the same day, they however explained that they went for the interview together but Hassan assumed work in 2013, while Hussain reported for duty in 2014.
However, both Hassan and his twin brother Hussain presented their inaugural lectures on the 6th of February 2024, shaping the educational landscape of the institution particularly at the department of Agricultural economics where they specialize and work.
The identical twins are so difficult to tell apart but they appreciate their features so much that if students or colleagues approach any of them to sort out something, the duo obliges even when they knows they are not the one supposedly expected to handle it.
A 500 Level student of Agricultural Economics at the Federal University Dutsinma FUDMA, Suwaibat AbdulMalik, said “It’s really amazing because there are instances when Prof Hassan gives an assignment and we take it to Prof Hussain or if Hussain gives something to solve, we take it to Hassan. They will never ask you to look for the appropriate person but anyone you meet will attend to you.
“This helps a lot and has reduced the burden of identifying the right person. Once you meet any of them, he will treat you well, without minding or bothering about the particular twin you are looking for. They are indeed too identical.
“Another thing that makes it difficult to differentiate them is their mode of dressing, because most of the time they wear the same colour of dress. So, in a situation like that, even if you meet them together, not everyone can identify who is Hassan and who is Hussain,” Suwaibat said.
For Muhammad Malle Abubakar, another student who had his first degree and is now doing his master’s degree on agricultural economics in FUDMA, having spent some years in the university together with the twin lecturers has not helped him in being able to differentiate them.
According to Muhammad Malle, “The professors are too identical that no one in the department – student or lecturer, can easily tell them apart, whether they are together or separate. In fact, their similarities in behaviour and actions are beyond imagination.”
Back home, the professors are not just brothers but intimate friends whose love, care and compassion know no bound.
When they were courting their wives, both of them always went together before they finally got married on the same day in November 2006.
The two of them are blessed with five children and surprisingly the first four children for each of them are boys while the fifth one is girl. The professors try hard to provide for both families without segregation.
The spouses of the professors, though not from the same backgrounds, had to agree and build a common understanding around what they share in common and the differences between them and so, try to work and help them in building a formidable family that appreciates common bond.
Although they live in different locations in the ancient city of Katsina, but the families of Hassan and Hussain regularly visit each other. Their children choose where they spend the night or weekend without hindrance.
To many of the children in the two separate families, they hardly understand who their biological father is and the reason is simple, each of the professors plays fatherly roles to all the children and the rest of the family members to the best of his ability.
The children always see them together and they provide for them without any difference. Khalid – the first child of Professor Hussain, said “I don’t know much difference between Baba Hassan and Baba Hussain, each treats us as one. I feel comfortable with the two houses; we relate as one because that is what we learnt from them and that was how we were brought up.
“Our family enjoys peace, we’re happy and comfortable. If you’re in our midst, you’d hardly notice any difference between the two families. We’re one and we see ourselves as such; no more, no less,” said Ibrahim, Hassan’s first child.
Born to the family of Alhaji Ishaq Ibrahim and Maryam Idris in Kawo Kaduna on the 9th August 1973, Hassan and Husain attended Kaduna Capital Primary School after the usual Qur’anic education from where both of them proceeded to Government College Kano.
Both Hassan and Hussain live peacefully and happily in Katsina. Rice and beans are their favourite food. The twins, who detest injustice, like watching English Premier and Champions Leagues as well as watching news channels, travelling and research works on Twitter.
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