DG/CEO – Nbrda

THE DIRECTOR GENERAL/CEO,

NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NBRDA),

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha is a Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry, and a champion for the advancement of biotechnology in Nigeria. He hails from Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State. He was appointed Director General/CEO of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in 2020. His tenure has been marked by a resolute dedication to harnessing the transformative power of biotechnology to confront some of Nigeria’s most intractable challenges.

Before his appointment as Director General, he was the Pioneer Head of Department, Chemistry, Director, Consultancy Services, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Examination-Related Misconduct at the Federal University, Dutse.

At the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, he was Head of the Department of Chemistry, Deputy Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, and Dean, Faculty of Science and Science Education. He was also a Visiting Professor at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Katsina State and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Chemist (MICCON); the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom (MRSC) and a Fellow Chemical Society of Nigeria (FCSN). Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha is a prolific researcher with over 50 scientific publications and a book titled; “Multidentate Ligands in the Synthesis of Multimetallic Compounds: The synthetic approach.”

In recognition of his high productivity and hard meritorious service to the nation, Prof. Mustapha was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari, GFCR on 26th May, 2023.

He is also a recipient of many other prestigious awards, including the Award of Honour from the Society for Conservation of Phytofuel and Allied Sciences; Distinguished Service Award in Biotechnology, Research and Development; Award of Recognition from the American Chemical Society, Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter; Award of Excellence from the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Jigawa State Chapter; Award of Excellence in Biotechnology Innovation, Safety Icon and Patriotism from The Nigerian News; Excellence Award from the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Abuja Chapter; Award of Excellence from the Nigerian Society of Nematologists; Excellent Performance Award from the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations in Nigeria; and the Award of Excellence in Leadership by the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), among others.

Remarkably, under his result-oriented leadership, the NBRDA has become a leading research institution and a fulcrum for sustainable development. The agency is now widely reputed as a dynamic hub of consummate scholars and pragmatic innovators who utilise cutting-edge biotechnological tools to forge solutions with tangible socio-economic impact. Furthermore, under his administration, the Act establishing the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency was signed into law in April, 2022.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha is the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) appointed Governor and Liaison Officer for Nigeria.

He has positioned NBRDA as a leading institution in biotechnology research and development not only in Nigeria, but also across the African continent. His efforts have garnered international recognition and have solidified Nigeria’s position as a key player in the global biotechnology ecosystem.

In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reappointed Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha as Director General/CEO of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) for a second term of five years. The reappointment reflects the confidence that the President has in Prof. Mustapha’s leadership acumen and capability to drive innovation towards achieving food security.