ABOUT ME
My name is Lafia Hussaini, born in Shiya, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. I began my education at the Local School Board Primary School, Shiya, where I studied from 1972 to 1977. I proceeded to Government Secondary School, Kaiama, and obtained the West African School Certificate in 1984. Between 1987 and 1989, I attended the School of Basic Studies, Kwara Polytechnic. To further my civil service career, I undertook a Diploma in Public Accounting and Auditing at the Kwara State Staff Development College, Ilorin.
Growing up in the heart of Barutem, surrounded by the rich traditions of the Baatonu people, I often found myself captivated by the vibrant dances, intricate textiles, sacred festivals, and the wisdom of our elders. But as I got older, I began to notice something troubling — many of these beautiful cultural practices were fading, replaced by modern lifestyles that often forget where we come from.
By Lafia Hussaini
I later advanced my education at the University of Ado-Ekiti, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and at the University of Ilorin, where I obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). I am a Certified National Accountant (CNA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Associate Cost and Management Accountant (ACMA), and an alumnus of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). Presently, I serve as the Acting Auditor General for Local Governments in Kwara State. I am also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Ilorin.
Beyond my professional career in public service, I am a cultural researcher, writer, and creative artist committed to preserving and promoting the heritage of the Baatonu people and other indigenous cultures of Nigeria. I am the co-founder and President of the Baatonu Cultural Institute (established in 1997), under which I have organized cultural programs, produced drama films in the Baatonu language, and hosted several radio broadcasts dedicated to Baatonu audiences.
As an author, I have published several books, including:
- The Baatombu and Their Culture,
- Family, Marriage and Kinship in Baatonu Society,
- Borgu: The Endless Journey,
- Sero Kora (Yeruma Baanensi): The Thirty-Ninth Sinaboko of Barutem,
- The End of an Era: Sabi Nayina Adieu,
- Gaani: A Millennium of Cultural Heritage
I also have other works awaiting publication. With years of experience documenting traditional practices and crafting cultural narratives, my mission is to share insights, inspire pride, and sustain the relevance of our traditions in contemporary society.