Dr Bitrus Yakubu
Director (Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Drug Development) Management
Dr Bitrus Yakubu born on the 15/03/1965 in Mbuluma, Mubi- South Local Government Area of Adamawa State had his education and qualifications as follows: primary education in Sahuda and Sabon Pegi primary schools (1979), secondary education in Federal Government College Lagos (1985), B.Sc. M. Sc., PhD in Biochemistry (University of Maiduguri, 1991; University of Jos, 1998; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, 2011 respectively). Fellowships and other trainings include FAO/IAEA Fellowship Training in PCR Methodology & Diagnostics in 2003 (OVI, Pretoria, SA); USDA Training in Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Techniques for Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease in 2009 (Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory Athens, GA); Training on Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis of Avian Influenza Genome in 2011 (OIE/FAO Reference Laboratory Padova, Italy); Senior Lecturer Sabbatical & Visiting in universities for 5 five years.
Dr Yakubu has 27 years working experience as a Research Officer in the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom and held various research and administrative positions. He has vast research experience in Protein Biotechnology, PCR Methodology & Diagnostics, animal nutrition, tutoring, mentorship and molecular biology laboratory set-up. He developed and validated PCR diagnostic protocols for the laboratory diagnosis of livestock and poultry diseases, pioneer in PCR laboratory set-up for the Institute and other institutions in the country, trained national and international researchers and technicians in PCR Methodology and Diagnostics. Dr Yakubu has been a Principal Investigator and a team member in several research projects in the Institute which include evaluation of immunogenicity of haemagglutinin genes of avian influenza virus for vaccine development); 2006 – 2008 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks national control; lead scientist in research on the utilization of lesser known seeds as feedstuffs and validation of protocols for the analysis of anti-nutritional factors in feeds and feedstuffs; NVRI-IAEA TCP on epidemiology, diagnosis and control of African swine fever in Nigeria; TETFUND NRF project on gene mining of lignocellulase from gut microbiota of desert insects for biofuel and feed industry; FAO/FMA project (GCP/RAF/510/MUL) enhancing capacity/risk reduction of emerging tilapia lake virus (TiLV) to African tilapia aquaculture in Nigeria. He supervised 3 PhD, 1 M. Sc., and 3 B.Sc. students under the NVRI-Universities MOU on research. He is been an editor of the Nigerian Journal Biotechnology till date. He has published over forty journal articles in both national and international journals. He is a merit award recipient of the Institute for hard work and excellence with several commendations.
Dr Yakubu served as the second head of the Molecular Biology Section in the Biochemistry Division and a played a leading role in Molecular Biology Laboratory set-up. He was the pioneer Head of the Biotechnology Division as an Assistant Director Biotechnology until his recent elevation to the rank of Director Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Drug-development Department of the Institute. Dr Yakubu served as a member of several Committees in the Institute which include Training, Research, Junior Staff Appointments, Promotion, Disciplinary Committee and Heads of Divisions Committee. He is currently a member of the Welfare Committee, Senior Staff Appointments, Promotion, Disciplinary Committee and the Chairman Housing and Rent Management Committee of the Institute. He has been a Community leader at various levels in associations and church. Dr Yakubu is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Animal Genetic Resource (AnGR), a member of the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria.
Area of specialization: Molecular Biology; PCR Methodology and Diagnostics
Research Interest: Protein Biotechnology/Vaccinology; DNA Barcoding
Email: minitsa65@gmail.com or bitrus.yakubu@nvri.gov.ng
