Prof. M. D. Magaji

Brief Biography

Born on 2nd July, 1954 in Gwandu town, Gwandu LGA, Kebbi State, I attended Primary School, Gwandu from 1960-67. I attended Government Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi from 1968-72. I was admitted into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria’s School of Basic Studies (SBS), Samaru-Zaria from 1973-74 following which I was absorbed into BSc (Agriculture) from 1974-77. I did NYSC in Ogun State from July 1977-June 1978. From August 1978 – January 1982, I was employed by Sokoto State and posted to Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources as Agricultural Officer II and then I. I was recruited by Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) in February, 1982 as Assistant Lecturer in Crop Science Department. From 1983-84 I did an MSc (Tropical Crop Production) at Reading University, England (UK). From 1987-94 I did a PhD (Agronomy) at ABU, Zaria. I rose through the ranks to Professor of Agronomy in 2001 and during the period I was 3ce HOD Crop Science, Deputy Dean and then Dean, Faculty of Agriculture (FOA) also 3ce from 1995-2006 during which I was Coordinator, Science and Agriculture Complex (SAC) for two years. I was Chairman a number of committees {(Faculty Board of Agriculture; University Teaching, Research and Commercial Farm, Dabagi; University Health Services Management, FOA Teaching and Research Dryland Farm Management; and Board of Trustees, Centre for Islamic Studies (CIS).)}. I was a member of several statutory and ad-hoc committees within and outside the University (University Senate, Committee of Deans and Academic Directors, etc.). I taught several courses at undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels and supervised dozens of final year (UG V) projects, MSc and PhD students to successful completion. I presented many papers at local, national and international conferences and published a good number of peer-reviewed scientific articles in local, national and international journals and contributed chapters in scientific reports. I am a fellow of the Agricultural Science Society of Nigeria (FASSN). At national level, I represented North-West Geopolitical Zone on Arable and Horticultural Crops Sub-committee of National Agricultural Council on Agricultural Research (NACAR) from 1994-1998, which gave birth to a mega World Bank funded National Agricultural Research Project (NARP). From 2007-14 I was Director, Plant Resources Department at Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD). In that capacity, I was in-charge of nine (9 No.) crop-based National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) across Nigeria (LCRI), Maiduguri in North-East; IAR)/ABU, Zaria in North-West; NCRI), Badeggi in Central Zone; NIHORT, Jerico, CRIN and IAR&T, in Ibadan in South-West Zone; RRIN and NIFOR Benin City in South-South; and NRCRI, Umudike in South-East. From 2015-16, I was National Coordinator, Nationally Coordinated Research Project - Maize (NCRP-Maize) and, very briefly in May 2016, served as National Project Coordinator, West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme, Nigeria-I (WAAPP NG-1). I returned to UDUS July, 2016. While based at UDUS, I am presently Dean, Postgraduate School, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology (KSUSTA), as a result of which I am currently Vice-Chairman, Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine and Deans of Postgraduate Schools (CPCDPGS) of Nigerian Universities. From June - October, 2022, I was appointed a Member, Panel of Judges for Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (Nigeria LNG) Plc. Prize for Science, which amounts to USD 100, 000. The 2022 prize was awarded to winners of National Food Security and Nutrition, amongst others, on 14th October, 2022 at Eco Hotel, Lagos Island. The grand occasion was graced by several dignitaries, including the two-time Nigeria’s President, General Olusegun Obasanjo. In terms of community service, I was member, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into political disturbances in Yauri, Jega and Zuru, Kebbi State, in the 3rd Republic when His Excellency (HE), Muhammadu Aliero was the Executive Governor. In the 4th Republic, HE Executive Governor, Alh. Usman Dakingari, I was Chairman of a 22-member Kebbi State Agriculture Committee throughout his tenure. Currently, I have served as Quasi-Special Advisor on Agriculture for HE Executive Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu to date.

Area of specialization:	Agronomy
Email:	danyaromagaji1954@gmail.com
Phone:	+2348036007622

List of Selected Publications

Okosun, L. A.M. D. Magaji and A. I. Yakubu (2006). The Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Growth and Yield of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in a Semi-Arid Agro-Ecology of Nigeria. Journal of Plant Sciences 1(2): 154-160
Okosun, L. A.M. D. Magaji and A. I. Yakubu (2006). The Effect of Sowing Date and Planting Distance on Growth and Yield of Two Cultivars of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Journal of Plant Sciences 1(4): 297-305
Lado, A. A. I. Yakubu and M. D. Magaji (2006). Effect of Irrigation and weeding regimes on yield and yield components of two spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. Nigerian Journal of Weed Science 19: 1-6.
Magaji, M.D.; A.A. Adeoti and A.M. Falaki (1992). The effect of fertilization on the incidence of dirty panicle disease in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. The Farfaru J. Multidisciplinary Studies (FJMS) 3(1): 179-84.
Magaji, M.D.; M.Ibrahim and Y.Yusuf (1996). Evaluation of adaptability of some cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] genotypes to Sokoto Ecosystem. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(1&2): 93 – 98.
Ibrahim, N.A. andM.D. Magaji (1998). Important insect pests in Sokoto State. The Beam: Journal of Arts and Science Vol. 3: 140 – 143.
Miko, S.; A.M. Falaki; I.U. Abubakar and M.D Magaji (1999). Response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to nitrogen levels and water stress in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, UDU, Sokoto.
Awodola, M.A.; M.D. Magaji; A. Musa and C. Schaefer (1997). Assessment of composition and productivity of Natural Grassland at Zamfara Reserve, Sokoto State of Nigeria. Proceedings of the regional workshop on “Impact of human activities and livestock grazing on savannah and grazing lands”. FUT, Akure, 23 – 26 July, 1995.
Usman A.; T. Adamu and M.D. Magaji (1999). Distribution of nematodes associated with the roots of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp in the Savannah regions of Northern Nigeria. Nigerian J. of Basic and Applied Sciences 8: 63 - 70
Iliya, M.A. and M.D. Magaji (1992). Pests and Agricultural Productivity of upland Crops in Northern Nigeria (1992). Accepted for publication in conference proceedings of the Nigerian Geographical Association held at Sokoto, 6-10 April, 1992.
Magaji, M.D. and H. Ahmed (1996). The Old and the New: The Researchers’s/Extensionist Dilemma. Accepted for publication in conference proceedings of the Nigerian Rural Sociological Association held at Sokoto from 5-8 March, 1996.
Awodola, M.D. Magaji and M.A. Shinkafi (1999). Assessment of drought tolerance in some multi-purpose plants in the Zamfara Reserve. Proceedings of pastoralism in West Africa. Giessen, Germany. Pp 61-66.
Abraham, H.; Z. Koukoura; B. Noitsakis; M. Karatassiou; M.D. Magaji and A. Nastis (1999). Evaluation of productivity and drought resistance of three native Nigerian grasses. Proceedings of pastoralism in West Africa. Giessen, Germany. Pp. 68-72.
Koukoura, Z.; M. Karatassiou; H. Abraham, ; M.D. Magaji; A.M. Awodola and A. Nastis (1999). Competition effects of Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Pennisetum pedicellatum for biological Cassia tora control. Proceedings of pastoralism in West Africa. Giessen, Germany. Pp 74 -78.
Baba, K.M. and M.D. Magaji (1999). Fadama crop residue production and utilization in north-western Nigeria. Proceedings of pastoralism in West Africa. Giessen, Germany. Pp 246-261.
Aliyu, L.; M.K. Ahmed and M. D. Magaji (2000). Correlation and multiple regression analysis between morphological characters and components of yield in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Crops Research. 19 (2) : 318 - 323
Ahmad, H.G. ; M.D. Magaji; M.E. Aken’Ova and A. Abubakar (2000). Changes in In-sacco dry matter degradability of Gero and Maiwa types of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. BR.) at different stages of growth. Jnl. of Agric. and Env 1(2): 27-34.
M.S. Umar; C.O. Muoneke and M.D. Magaji (2000). Influence of intra-row spacing and mulch material on some soil physical prperties, weed control, growth and yield of irrigated onion (Allium cepa L.). Jnl. of Agric. and Env. 1 (2):81-91.
Muhammed, I; D. Bashir and M.D. Magaji (1994). Relevance of indigenous knowledge to adoption of improved agricultural practices by farmers in Nigeria. In: Olowu, T. A. (Ed.) Issues and perspectives in Technology Transfer for Food Security in the Present and Future. Agricultural Extension of Nigeria (AESON), pp. 98-106.
Muhammad, S. N. A. Musa; H.A. Suberu; A. Abubakar nd M. D. Magaji (2001). The effects of soil amendments with sawdust and rice-husks on the incidence of seedling blight caused by Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani and the growth of Parkia biglobosa. Moor Journal of Agricultural Research 2: 40 – 46. I.A.R. & T, OAU, Ibadan.
Muhammad, S.; N. A. Musa; H.A. Suberu; A. Abubakar nd M. D. Magaji (2001). Effects of soil amendments with saw dust and rice husks on the growth and incidence of seedling blight of Tamarindus indica Linn. Caused by…Accepted for publication in Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment. 3(1). FUA, Umudike.
Muhammad, S.; A. Abubakar and M. D. Magaji (2000). Studies on chemical control of fungal foliar diseases in Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Dov. Accepted for publication in The BEAM: Journal of Arts and Science 5th vol. Haliru Binji College of Arts and Science, Sokoto.
Muhammad, S.; A. Abubakar and M. D. Magaji (2000). Control of fungal foliar diseases in Tamarindus indica Linn. Caused by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma barzianum by soil amendment with sawdust and rice-husk. Accepted for publication in The BEAM: Journal of Arts and Science 5th vol. Haliru Binji College of Arts and Science, Sokoto.
Okosun, L.A. and M.D. Magaji (1995). Landraces in traditional agriculture: Conservation, management and sustainable use. Paper accepted for publication in the proceedings of Scientific Conf. of the Nigerian Society for Biological Conservation. Federal University of Agriculture Umudike – Umuahia, 6-10 Oct., 1996.
Tanimu, B.; P.E. Olorunju; M. D. Magaji; S. Miko and M. A. Hussaini (2001). Effect of the three major fertilizer nutrients on the agronomic performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L. ) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) grown in mixture. Journal of Agriculture and Environment 2: 252 – 261.
Muhammad, S.; A. Abubakar; M. D. Magaji and T. Amusa (2001). Effects of soil amendment with sawdust and rice husk on the growth and incidence of seedling blight of Tamarindus indica Linn. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment 3 (1) : 39 - 44
Muhammad, S.; N. A. Amusa; M. D. Magaji and A. M. Shinkafi (2002). Effects of sulphuric acid and hot water treatments on seed germination of the Locust bean. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment 3 (1) : 309 – 313.
Yakubu, A. I. and M. D. Magaji (2004). Evaluation of productivity of some grass pasture species in Zamfara Grazing Reserve. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Society for Animal Production21st 25th March 2004 29: 318-319
Magaji, M.D.; B.K. Kaigama and D. Bashir (1994). Effects of cultivar, fertilizers and irrigation frequency on grain yield of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under semi-arid ecosystem. . Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, Umudike
Alhassan, J.; A. I. Yakubu and M.D. Magaji (2004), Irish Potatro (Solanum tuberosum L.) Yield in Sokoto Rima-River Valley. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science 9: 49-54
Kilgori, M.J; M. D. Magaji and A.I. Yakubu (2005). Productivity of two Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivars as Affected by different levels of Nitrogenous and Phosphorous Fertilizers in Sokoto. Bulletin of SAN 26: 138-143. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria April 2005. ISSN0029-0114
Kilgori, M.J.; M. D. Magaji; A.I. Yakubu; A. Singh and S.A. Irahim (2005). Effect of Plant Spacing and Date of Planting on Yield of two Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivars in Sokoto. Bulletin of SAN 26: 138-143. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria April 2005. ISSN0029-0114
Oyewole, C.I.; M. D. Magaji; A.I. Yakubu; A. Singh and S.A. Ibrahim (2005). Intercropping Millet with Groundnut Implication for Food Security in Nigeria. Bulletin of SAN 26: 131-137. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria April 2005.ISSN0029-0114
Oyewole, C.I.; M. D. Magaji; A.I. Yakubu; A. Singh and S.A. Ibrahim (2005). Effects of Cropping Pattern, Phosphorus and Potassium on growth and Development of Groundnut in Sokoto. Bulletin of SAN 26: 114 – 118. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria April 2005. ISSN0029-0114
Aliyu, U.; M. D. Magaji and A. Singh (2005). Response of Groundnut Varieites to Intra-row Spacing under Sokoto Agro-ecological Conditions.Bulletin of SAN 26: 114 – 118. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria April 2005. ISSN0029-0114
Abubakar, L.; S.G. Ado; H.A. Suberu and M.D. Magaji (2006). Screening of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Cultivars for Resistance to Purple Blotch (Alternaria porri L.) Disease. Paper accepted for publication in Biological and Environmental Science Journal for the Tropics (BEST) 3(3)
Sokoto, M.B.; M. D. Magaji and A. Singh (2007). Growth and Yield of Irrigated Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) as Inluenced by Intra-Row Spacing and Potassium. Journal of Plant Sciences 2(1): 54 – 60.
Ahmed, HG; MD Magaji; AI Yakubu; A. Aliyu and A Singh (2007). Response of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) to Irrigation Interval and Clove Size in Semi-Arid Nigeria. Journal of Plant Sciences 2(2): 202 – 208.
Aliyu, U; M. D. Magaji; A. I. Yakubu and A. U. Dikko (2007). Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Some Yield-related Traits in Onion (Allium cepa L.). Journal of Plant Scienec 2(3): 366 – 369.
Gambo, B. A. M.D. Magaji; A.I. Yakubu and A.U. Dikko (2008). Effects of Farm Yard Manure, N and Weed Interference on the Growth and Yield of Onion(Allium cepa L.) in Sokoto Rima Valley. Jnl. of Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Environment 3(2): 87-92
Ibrahim, R. and M. D. Magaji (2009). Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on yield and yield components of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb Mansf). Journal of Arid Agriculture , University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.