Professor Prof. Bashir Haruna Usman, the 6th Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola is a Professor of Soil Science who has distinguished himself in his field of endeavour with numerous honours, local and international. Born on August 8, 1959 in Gombe, Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, he started his primary education at Tudun Wada primary school, Gombe. Had his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Doma, Gombe (1972 - 1977), from where he attended University of Maiduguri (1978 - 1982) and obtained a B.Sc. Agriculture (Soil Science) with a second class honoured, upper division degree.

On graduation, he did his mandatory Youth Service (NYSC) at Rubber Research Institute Benin City, Edo State as a Research Officer (1982 - 1983). He gain immediate employment as Agricultural Officer at the Federal Department of Land Resources, (FDLA) Jos, Nigeria, where he worked between 1983 - 1984. He resigned his appointment with FDLA Jos to join the University of Maiduguri (1984 - 1994) as a Graduate Assistant, and in the space of ten years rose to the rank of Lecturer I. Within this time, he travelled abroad to further his education at the University of Reading, England, U.K. (1984 - !985), and graduated with M.Sc. in Soil Chemistry. His desire for knowledge led him to the University of London, Wye College, England, U.K. (1986 - 1989), where he obtained a doctorate degree, Ph.D Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Management. In 1994 he transferred his services to the Federal University of Technology, Yola as a senior Lecturer and by the year 2000, was already an Associate Professor. He was promoted to the highest rank in the academia (Professor) in 2006. His outstanding leadership qualities made his employers trust him with very sensitive and challenging positions some of which are: Head of Department, Soil Science Department, Federal University of Technology, Yola (1994 - 2003); Senate Member, Federal University of Technology, Yola (1995 till date); Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Yola (1995 - 1997); Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University of Technology, Yola (1997 - 2000); Coordinator, Chevron Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Technology, Yola (2005 - 2008); Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Federal University of Technology, Yola (2005 - 2009); Acting Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Yola (2009); and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Yola (June, 2009 to date).

Being an outstanding personality in his chosen career, Professor B.H. Usman's professional knowledge, experience and leadership skills have been sought after by local and international bodies, agencies and governments in several international, national, state and local projects/assignments. He was a Member, L.O.C. 18th Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, Maiduguri (1994); Chairman, Committee on Certification of Research and Teaching Equipment, FUT, Yola (1995 - 2000); Member, North East Zone Technology Committee on Research Extension Linkage L.C.R.I. Headquarters Maiduguri (1995 - 2002); Member, Research Committee Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri (1995 - 2002); Member, Recruitment/Interview, Technical Aid Corps Scheme, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja (1996 - 1997); Chairman, School Board of Post Graduate Studies FUT, Yola (1997 - 2000); Member, Zonal Steering Committee on REFILS Activities in the North East Zone, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Jigawa States (1997 - 2002); Chairman, Panel on Investigation of Student Crisis of 1998, FUT, Yola (1998 - 2000); Team Leader, Adamawa State Agricultural Development Project, Monthly  Technical Review Meeting at Yola (1998 - 2002); Member, Governing Council, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Mubi (2001 - 2005); Member Technical and Implementation Committee for Gombe State University (2003 - 2006); Chairman Fund Raising Committee, Local Organizing Committee of 32nd Conference of Soil Science Society of Nigeria, at Federal University of Technology, Yola (2008); to mention but a few.

Apart from University, State, National and International appointments, Professor B.H. Usman is a researcher of repute, a distinguished academic and a seasoned Professor. He has thirty-two (32) Journal Publications in Conference Proceedings to his credit and has attended and presented papers at both local and international conferences and workshops. He has to his credit supervised over eighteen (18) Doctorate and Masters students. He has also served as External Examiner to many Universities. He is a member of many professional bodies some of which are; Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) and Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS). Prof. B.H. Usman has widely traveled; he has visited among others, the U.K., France, Germany, Egypt, Cameroun, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, and Niger republic.

Professor Bashir Haruna Usman has as his hobbies; reading and jogging which he believes help keep mind and body in good shape. The Vice Chancellor is happily married with 2 children, aged 12 and 8 years old.