Prof. Adamu Ahmed (Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)

Prof. Adamu Ahmed is the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria,. He is a seasoned academic leader with a strong track record in urban planning. His academic career spans over three decades at the university, where he is a professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He is recognised for leading curriculum reforms and establishing the Centre for Spatial Information Science (CSIS) during his tenure as Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. His research interests include land cover, land use, climate change, and food security.

Prof. Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)

Ibrahim Abdulkadir graduated from the Department of Chemistry at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria (1999). He obtained his M.Sc in Petroleum Geochemistry from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (now Newcastle University) UK.  (2005). He proceeded to University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban, South Africa where he obtained his PhD in inorganic/Materials Chemistry in 2015. He rose to the rank of Professor in 2022 and he is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello

Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello is a physicist with over a decade of experience in materials science, energy research, and higher education management. Dr. Bello holds BSc in Physics from Ahmadu Bello University, an MSc in Materials Science from African University of Science and Technology (AUST) and a PhD in Physics from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, with specialization in materials physics and electrochemical systems. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of advanced materials for energy storage applications, and sustainable technologies. He has held prestigious research fellowships, including the National Research Foundation (NRF) Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI) Fellowship to WPI and Rutgers University in the USA.

Dr. Bello currently serves as the Director of Academic Planning at the AUST and Head of the Central Laboratory of the University, where he provides strategic oversight and leads curriculum development and capacity building. With an extensive publication and citation, Dr. Bello has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters, which has earned him recognition as an affiliate fellow of the African Academy of Science and a member of the Nigerian Young Academy. In addition to his research, Dr Bello is also involved in teaching and mentoring students. He has supervised several MSc students, co-supervision of PhD students and has been involved in outreach programs to encourage young student to pursue careers in STEM fields. He actively collaborates with international research institutions, serves as a reviewer for top scientific journals, and contributes to various scientific advisory committees.

Prof. Basant Kumar Jha

Professor Basant Kumar Jha is a distinguished scholar in applied mathematics at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, known globally for his contributions to fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). With over 259 publications and more than 3,376 citations, he holds an H-index of 31 and has been listed among the Top 2% of Scientists globally (Stanford/Elsevier, 2024). His core research areas include: Fluid flow in channels and porous media, Thermal convection and radiation effects, and Hydromagnetic phenomena in conducting fluids.

Prof. Jha is also a dedicated mentor, having supervised numerous MSc and PhD students, and has collaborated extensively with other top researchers. He is actively involved in peer-review and scientific community service.

Through his research, mentorship, and leadership, Prof. Jha has become a cornerstone of applied mathematics in Nigeria and a respected figure internationally.

Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo

Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo was born on the 31st July, 1955 in Zaria, Kaduna State. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a First Class Honours B.Eng degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1979. In 1983, he obtained his doctorate degree (DPhil) also in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. Prof Sambo started his working career at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) as a Graduate Assistant in Mechanical Engineering Department in 1980 and rose to become a Senior Lecturer in 1987. In 1989 he joined Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) as Reader (Associate Professor) in Energy Studies and Director of the Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC) of that University. In 1991 he was appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Energy Studies) at Sokoto. From 1995 to 2004 Prof Sambo served as the Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi. He served briefly, that was between July to December 2004, as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University before his appointment as the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) where he served for two terms of a total of eight years from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2012. Prof Sambo was named the Special Adviser to the President on Energy in July 2011. In recent times Prof Sambo was given the following appointments: 1. Member of Tertiary Education Trust Fund Standing Committee on Research and Development and Coordinator of the Energy Thematic Group – March 2020; 2. Chairman, Ministerial Task Force on Power, appointed by Minister of Power in 2020; 3. Chairman, Minister’s Policy and technical Advisory Committee on Environment appointed by the Minister of Environment in 2021; 4. Chairman, Technical Board of Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI) of NASENI appointed by the Presidency in 2021; 5. Member of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) Consultation Committee – June 2021; 6. Member of the African Union High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) – April 2022; 7. Vice Chairman, Working Group on Environmental Standards for the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project appointed by Minister of Environment in February 2024. Prof Sambo has supervised 16 PhD candidates to successful completion and has written more than 200 articles in books, journals, conference proceedings and seminars and workshops. He is registered by COREN to practice as a Mechanical Engineer and he is a FELLOW of the following 10 associations: 1. Nigerian Academy of Engineering; 2. Nigerian Academy of Science; 3. Nigerian Society of Engineers; 4. Solar Energy Society of Nigeria; 5. Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers; 6. Nigerian Association of Energy Economists; 7. Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria; 8. Nigerian Institute of Management; 9. Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers and 10. Energy Institute of the U. K. Prof Sambo was elected Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter of the World Energy Council (WEC) in 2006 and he served in that capacity up to 2024. He was the Vice Chair for Africa of WEC from 2007-2013. WEC is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners promoting affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy systems for the greatest benefit of mankind. Prof Sambo, who has been a staff of the Sokoto Energy Research Centre of UDUS since 1989, was tasked to commence the development of the Faculty of Engineering & Environmental Design of the University in 2017. Prof Sambo is the recipient of two national honours: the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) in 1997 and the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in year 2000. He was turbaned as the Shettiman Gabas Zazzau by the Emir of Zazzau in Zaria in July 2018. In December 2022 he was one of the recipients of the 2021/2022 Role Model Award of the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation. On 24th February 2024 he was conferred with the honorary Doctor of Engineering degree (D.Eng) by the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi. And on 23rd January 2025, Prof Sambo was inducted as the 20th President of the Nigerian Academy of Science. Having retired from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Prof Sambo was honoured by the institution with Professor Emeritus appointment in 2024. Prof Sambo is happily married and has three children.