A renowned molecular plant pathologist, Dr. Wadzani Dauda Palnam, has been ranked among Africa’s top 10 most cited researchers in Biological and Agricultural Sciences, solidifying his place as one of the continent’s leading scientific minds.
Dr. Palnam, a native of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State. As of May 2025, he has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications focused on plant-microbe interactions, molecular diagnostics, and innovative plant disease control methods.
The recognition was based on the Elsevier SciVal/SCOPUS 2025 metrics, which placed him 10th among Africa’s most cited researchers across Biological and Agricultural Sciences—out of more than 500 prolific scholars spanning 58 countries. He also earned a spot among the world’s top 500 authors in Agricultural Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology.
Dr. Palnam’s pioneering research, including CRISPR-based resistance strategies and work on fungal pathogens like Rhizoctonia solani, has garnered partnerships with institutions such as Wageningen University (Netherlands), AfricaRice, the University of California (Davis), and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB).
Beyond his academic work, he serves as Director of Training and Development at the Academic and Grant Writing Enclave (AGE) and its affiliate AGES, where he has helped train over 23,500 researchers from 153 countries, including nearly 600 professors and over 7,000 PhD holders. In 2024, AGE supported over 5,000 Nigerian researchers in accessing ₦2.05 billion worth of research grants under the TETFund National Research Fund.
Dr. Palnam began his academic journey at Government College Maiduguri, proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for undergraduate and master’s degrees in crop science and protection, and earned his PhD in Molecular Plant Pathology from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
He has also played key roles in curriculum development and research policy at Federal University Gashua, in addition to mentoring over 15 postgraduate students. His editorial contributions to journals including PLOS ONE, Frontiers in Genome Editing, and several Taylor & Francis and Springer Nature titles reflect his broader commitment to scientific excellence.
Colleagues and university officials have lauded his contributions. “Your dedication and accomplishments enhance not only the reputation of our university but also inspire excellence among peers and students,” said Dr. Abubakar Mamuda, Registrar of Federal University Gashua.
Despite receiving international postdoctoral offers from institutions in the United States, Israel, and the Czech Republic, Dr. Palnam chose to continue his work in Nigeria, further underscoring his commitment to African scholarship and development.
His influence extends to science communication, where he actively engages an audience of over 8,000 followers on LinkedIn, translating complex research into practical insights for policy and development.
As global attention turns increasingly to food security and sustainable agriculture, Dr. Wadzani Dauda Palnam’s work stands as a testament to the scientific potential emerging from the Sahel region and Nigeria at large.
