Hauwa Zailani Ahmed, Biochemistry Leader

Hauwa Zailani Ahmed is a full professor of Biochemistry at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, a position confirmed on public academic platforms, including ResearchGate, where her publication record and research activities are documented. Modibbo Adama University, established in 1981, is a public institution offering programmes in Science, Technology, Life Sciences, and related disciplines, with the Faculty of Life Sciences hosting the Department of Biochemistry, which conducts teaching and research across multiple subfields, including medical, environmental, and industrial biochemistry.

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Academic and Research Contributions

Professor Zailani’s research focuses on indigenous plants, food safety, and the application of modern biochemical techniques to locally relevant problems. Her verified research contributions include:

1. Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Research
   She has studied the biochemical properties of indigenous plant species, evaluating their antiplasmodial, or antimalarial, and antimicrobial activity, including the evaluation of leaf extracts from Clerodendrum violaceum and other local flora, with both in vitro and in vivo assessment of antimalarial potential.
2. Food Safety and Public Health
   Her studies have examined antibiotic residues and microbial contamination in local foods, for example, analysing tetracycline-resistant Salmonella typhi in milk consumed in Yola, highlighting important food-safety concerns in northern Nigeria.
3. Nanotechnology and Antioxidant Studies
   In 2024, she co-authored “Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Acacia nilotica Synthesized Callus and Seed Nanoparticles”, demonstrating the use of plant-based nanoparticles to evaluate antioxidant activity, combining traditional botanical resources with modern biochemical and nanotechnological techniques.

These contributions address public health, food safety, and biomedical issues relevant to northern Nigeria, demonstrating that locally conducted research can have both regional and wider significance.

Professional Standing

Her position as a full professor at MAU is confirmed through public academic records. Media reports describe her as “the youngest professor at Modibbo Adama University”, however, no independent or institutional record is publicly available to verify her age or the claim. Similarly, references to her serving as Head of Department of Biochemistry cannot be confirmed via publicly accessible MAU administrative records. Consequently, only her professorship and research output are considered verified.

Context: Scientific Research in Northern Nigeria

Northern Nigeria faces persistent public health challenges, including malaria and food-borne illnesses, and local research is vital for developing solutions relevant to the region’s environmental, social, and economic conditions. Universities such as MAU contribute to building local scientific capacity, and Professor Zailani’s work demonstrates that northern Nigerian institutions are capable of producing high-quality research, particularly in the life sciences, by studying indigenous plants and evaluating food safety. Her work addresses locally relevant challenges, while also enhancing the broader scientific landscape of Nigeria. Her role as a female scientist in northern Nigeria contributes to diversity and inclusion within Nigerian academia. While detailed biographical records are limited, her achievements show that northern universities can support advanced research careers for both women and men in STEM.

Significance

Professor Zailani’s verified contributions have multiple implications, including:

• Health and Development: Research on antimalarial and antimicrobial properties of plants, alongside food-safety studies, addresses pressing health concerns,
• Scientific Capacity Building: Her publications enhance the research profile of MAU, supporting training and mentorship in the life sciences,
• Regional Representation: Her work demonstrates the capacity for advanced research in northern Nigeria and may inspire future scientists from the region,
• Application of Modern Techniques: The integration of nanotechnology with biochemistry exemplifies how local resources can be used in cutting-edge research.

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Author’s Note

Hauwa Zailani Ahmed is a full professor and researcher in Biochemistry at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. Her verified research focuses on indigenous plants, food safety, and the application of modern biochemical techniques to issues of regional importance. Claims regarding her status as the youngest professor or Head of Department remain unverified, and only her professorship and publication record are documented. Nonetheless, her work demonstrates the significant contribution of northern Nigerian academics to scientific research, public health, and institutional capacity building.

References:

1. “Modibbo Adama University Youngest Professor Hauwa Zailani Ahmed Shines in Biochemistry.” MySchoolNews, 13 Nov 2025.
2. “Hauwa ZAILANI | Professor (Full) | Doctor of Philosophy (ResearchGate profile).” ResearchGate.
3. Modibbo Adama University, Yola, established 1981. MAU official site.

Gloria Olaoye A Nigerian Historian.

Gloria Taiwo Olaoye is a Nigerian historian whose work explores the complexities of the nation’s past with depth and clarity. She examines power, memory, identity, and everyday life across different eras, treating history not only as a record of events but as a tool for understanding, reclaiming, and shaping Nigeria’s future. Through her research and writing, she seeks to make history accessible, relevant, and transformative for a new generation.

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