Stories of identical twins navigating and triumphing in life are familiar, but the experience of Professors Hassan and Hussain is unique, extraordinary, and unusual for many Nigerians.
DailyTrust reports that the identical twins, raised in Kaduna State, have always done things together since childhood and are now professors.
For Hassan and Hussain, life is a combination of sadness and happiness, but the ability to overcome obstacles makes life easier.
They are both agricultural economics professors with PhDs from the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. They received their first and second degrees from the renowned Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The twin brothers went to the same schools from primary up to the university level, doing everything in common, and amazingly got married the same day. They are presently 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 belief that one of the best ways to impact positively in developing society is to help educate 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 in 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 explained that they went for the interview together, but Hassan assumed work in 2013, while Hussain reported for duty in 2014.
However, the identical twin professors presented their inaugural lectures on February 6, 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 know they are not the ones 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 in agricultural economics at FUDMA, having spent some years in the university together with the twin lecturers has not helped him to differentiate them.
According to Muhammad Malle, “The professors are so identical that no one in the department—student or lecturer—can easily tell them apart, whether they are together or separate. 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 bounds.
During their courtship, they consistently travelled together, culminating in their marriage on the same day in November 2006.
Surprisingly, the first four children born to identical twin professors are boys, while the fifth child is a girl. The professors try hard to provide for both families without segregation.
Because the professors’ spouses came from different backgrounds, they had to work together to find common ground and differences, to help them build a strong family that values their shared bond.
Although they live in different locations in the ancient city of Katsina, the families of Hassan and Hussain regularly visit each other. Without hindrance, their children choose where they spend the night or weekend.
Many of the children in the two separate families don’t understand who their biological father is, and the reason is simple: each of the professors plays fatherly roles for 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 because we learned from them and were raised as one.
“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.
Hassan and Husain were born in Kawo Kaduna on August 9, 1973, to the family of Alhaji Ishaq Ibrahim and Maryam Idris. After the usual Qur’anic education, they attended Kaduna Capital Primary School, from which both of them proceeded to Government College Kano.
Both Hassan and Hussain live peacefully and happily in Katsina. Rice and beans are their favourite foods. The twins, who detest injustice, like watching the English Premier League and Champions Leagues and news channels, travelling and researching on Twitter.
