Nigerian Botanist, Dr. Abubakar Bello of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) Katsina, has earned international recognition for his groundbreaking work in plant taxonomy and conservation.
Dr. Bello spearheaded the development of NaijaFLO, the country’s first specimen-based checklist of vascular plants, creating a comprehensive online database that documents Nigeria’s rich biodiversity.
He also established and digitized UMYU’s herbarium, providing global access to Nigerian plant records and strengthening the nation’s role in international botanical research.
Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig, Dr. Bello collaborates with leading institutions including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
His efforts are regarded as crucial to global conservation science and a major step in positioning Nigeria as a hub for biodiversity research.
Observers say his work stands as an inspiration to young scientists and a powerful reminder of the role research plays in preserving the nation’s natural heritage.