Faculty Management PROFILE

Biography

Prof. Abdullahi Alanamu AbdulRahaman is a distinguished Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, with more than two decades of experience in university teaching, research, academic administration, mentorship, and community service. He is an accomplished scholar whose academic expertise spans Plant Anatomy, Plant Taxonomy and Systematics, Palynology, Environmental Botany, Molecular Plant Systematics, Chemotaxonomy, and Phytochemistry.

Prof. AbdulRahaman obtained his primary and secondary education in Kwara State, Nigeria, before proceeding to the University of Ilorin, where he earned his academic qualifications in Plant Biology. Throughout his academic journey, he distinguished himself through outstanding academic performance, earning several awards and scholarships, including the Nigerian Tobacco Company Prize in Plant Pathology, the Kwara State Scholarship Award, Study Leave with Pay during his undergraduate programme, and the Staff Development Award that supported his doctoral studies.

Prof. AbdulRahaman has built a remarkable academic career that combines teaching, innovative research, postgraduate supervision, institutional administration, and international scientific collaboration. His research interests encompass plant diversity and identification, anatomical and micromorphological investigations, plant systematics, molecular barcoding, phytochemistry, biodiversity conservation, herbarium digitisation, sustainable agriculture, and the application of digital technologies to biological sciences.

He has published more than 100 scholarly articles and scientific publications in reputable journals and academic outlets. His research has contributed significantly to the understanding of the taxonomy and systematics of Nigerian plants, wood anatomy, pollen morphology, medicinal and nutritional plants, phytochemical diversity, biodiversity conservation, and the integration of morphological and molecular approaches in plant identification and classification.

His scholarly contributions have attracted considerable recognition, with approximately 1,217 Google Scholar citations, an h-index of 18, and an i10-index of 35, reflecting the impact of his research within the scientific community.

As a researcher, Prof. AbdulRahaman has participated in and led several research projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the University of Ilorin, and other national and international organisations.

His research activities have focused on economically and ecologically important plant species, including Amaranthus, Ocimum, Vitex, Duranta erecta, and Vitellaria paradoxa. He has also developed multidisciplinary research initiatives in emerging areas such as: Smart farming systems, Vertical yam production, Biofertilisers, Sustainable packaging, Biodiversity informatics, Climate resilience, Controlled apicultural production systems, and Artificial intelligence applications in biological sciences. He is also the holder of a registered patent titled “Computerized System for Identification of Some Savanna Tree Species in Nigeria” (NG/P/2010/336).

Prof. AbdulRahaman is deeply committed to teaching and human capacity development. Over the years, he has made substantial contributions to undergraduate and postgraduate education in Plant Biology.

His teaching responsibilities include courses in: Plant Anatomy, Palynology, Cell Ultrastructure, Wood Anatomy and Industrial Utilisation, Plant Taxonomy and Systematics, and Environmental Botany. He has successfully supervised five Ph.D. graduates and is currently supervising several other doctoral candidates. Beyond formal supervision, he actively mentors early-career researchers in research design, scientific writing, grant development, data analysis, publication strategies, and academic career development. In addition to his scholarly achievements, Prof. AbdulRahaman has distinguished himself through exceptional academic and administrative leadership.

As Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening academic standards, promoting interdisciplinary research, improving postgraduate training, enhancing staff development, and increasing the visibility of the Faculty within the national and international academic communities. He has also served in several administrative capacities within the University of Ilorin, including leadership roles within the Department of Plant Biology and various Faculty committees.

Prof. AbdulRahaman is an active member of several academic, scientific, and professional organisations, reflecting his commitment to scholarship, professional development, and community engagement.

His professional and scholarly affiliations include: Botanical Society of Nigeria (BOSON), Nigerian Association of Plant Taxonomists (NAPT), International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT), Palaeobotanical Association of Nigeria (PAN), Palynological Society and other scholarly networks in plant sciences, Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association (IEPA), where he currently serves as General Secretary.

Through the Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association, he has contributed significantly to programmes involving scholarship awards, career mentoring, academic development, professional networking, and community service.

He is also a leading member of the Green Associate Questers (GAQ), a multidisciplinary research platform that brings together experts in: Agriculture and biodiversity, Automation and artificial intelligence, Climate change, Circular economy, Education, Energy and pollution, Sustainable development

Prof. AbdulRahaman has played significant roles in organising scientific conferences, workshops, and academic programmes at both national and international levels.

He served as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the BOSON–UNILORIN 2026 Conference, where he coordinated scientific activities aimed at promoting research in plant sciences, food security, biosafety, and sustainable development.

A defining characteristic of Prof. AbdulRahaman’s academic philosophy is his conviction that modern biological sciences must transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Consequently, his current and emerging research interests increasingly integrate: Classical taxonomy, Plant anatomy, Molecular biology, DNA barcoding, Phytochemistry, Metabolomics, Biodiversity informatics, Artificial intelligence, Ecological modelling, and Advanced statistical analysis.

His broader vision is to develop innovative research approaches that translate fundamental biological knowledge into practical solutions to Nigeria’s environmental, agricultural, nutritional, and socioeconomic challenges.

Among his notable awards and recognitions are: Nigerian Tobacco Company Prize in Plant Pathology, Kwara State Scholarship Award, Study Leave with Pay (Undergraduate Programme), Staff Development Award (Doctoral Programme), TETFund Research Grants, University of Ilorin Senate Research Grants, International research and professional development opportunities

As an academic, researcher, administrator, mentor, and community leader, Prof. Abdullahi Alanamu AbdulRahaman remains firmly committed to excellence in teaching, impactful research, responsible leadership, and service to society.

His professional aspiration is to contribute to the development of a more innovative, globally competitive, and research-driven higher education system in Nigeria while nurturing the next generation of scientists, researchers, and academic leaders.