Editorial Board

Prof. Abraham Agwu Ngwuta
Professor, Department of Crop Science and Technology
School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Email: abraham.ngwuta@futo.edu.ng
Alternate Email: angwuta@gmail.com
Phone: +2348062390097
Portfolio: Editor in Chief

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Academic Background:
B. Agric. (Horticulture), M.Sc. & Ph.D. (Plant Breeding and Genetics), University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Profile:
Prof. Ngwuta is a Professor of Crop Science and Technology with over 60 articles published in peer-reviewed national and international journals and over 20 research papers presented at national and international conferences. He served as an international research fellow (IRSAF) at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria (1999–2009).

He has held editorial roles for the Horticultural Society of Nigeria and Crop Science Society of Nigeria, and served as Head of Department, Crop Science and Technology, FUT Owerri (2012–2015). Prof. Ngwuta is a member of several academic societies, including:

• Genetic Society of Nigeria
• Plant Breeders Association of Nigeria
• Agricultural Society of Nigeria
• Crop Science Society of Nigeria
• African Crop Science Society
• International Biometrical Society
• Horticultural Society of Nigeria

Research Interests:

• Developing stem borer resistant maize varieties
• Developing maize for fresh maize production
• Improving legume genetic resources for humid tropical environments
• Growing vegetable crops in southeastern Nigeria
• Improving the productivity of soils in the humid rainforest area of southeast Nigeria

Full Name: Professor Usman Adamu Izge (B. Agric., M. Sc. (ABU), PhD (FUTY), FCAI)
Position: Dean, Faculty of Agriculture
Department: Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Institution: Federal University Dutse, P.M.B. 7156, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Email: bamsyizge@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348030636782

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Bio:
Professor Usman Adamu Izge was born at the General Hospital Maiduguri on 16th December, 1966. He attended Izge ‘A’ Primary School (1972–1978), Mafoni Primary School in Maiduguri (1978–1980), Government Secondary School Jakusko (1980), and Government Science Secondary School Gashua, Yobe State (1982–1985), where he served as Assistant Head Boy and Head Boy. He completed the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture in Crop Science (1990). He undertook his NYSC as a classroom teacher in Nasarawa State (1990–1991).

After NYSC, he was appointed Assistant Lecturer at Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri, and later Graduate Assistant in Crop Science at University of Maiduguri. He earned his MSc in Genetics and Crop Breeding (ABU, 1998) and PhD (FUTY, 2007). He rose through academic ranks at University of Maiduguri, becoming Professor in 2012. He has held numerous roles including Departmental Examination Officer, Faculty Year Coordinator, Curriculum Review Committee member, and many others.

Prof. Izge was a member of several university and national committees, including Borno State Government Agricultural Transformation Team and the National Experts on Climate Change. He led the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and has served as visiting professor, external examiner, and Head of Department. At Federal University Dutse, he was pioneer Head of Crop Science, Dean of Student Affairs, Editor-in-Chief of Dutse Journal of Agriculture and Food Security, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Central Administration). He has received numerous awards for his professional contributions.

He is a member of several professional bodies: Genetic Society of Nigeria (GSN), Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), Plant Breeders Association of Nigeria (PBAN), among others. He has more than 50 publications in books and journals, and has traveled widely for academic work. Prof. Izge is described as honest, hardworking, and dedicated. He is married to Fanna Alhaji Garba and is blessed with children. He is currently the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Dutse.

Name: Dr. Bunmi Olasanmi
Date of Birth: 1 April, 1972
Department: Crop and Horticultural Sciences
Faculty: Agriculture
First Academic Appointment: Lecturer II (1 March, 2013)
Present Post: Reader (1 October, 2022)

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Profile Description:
Dr. Bunmi Olasanmi is a distinguished academic and researcher with a robust background in plant science, particularly focusing on the genetic improvement of staple crops in Africa. With a significant tenure at National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Olasanmi has contributed to the advancement of agricultural research and development from 2005 to 2025.

Olasanmi’s expertise extends to various prestigious institutions, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya, and the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Cali, Colombia. This diverse experience has enriched Olasanmi’s research portfolio, particularly in the areas of marker-assisted selection for improvement of crops for yield and quality traits as well as resistance to pests and diseases, which are critical for enhancing food security in Africa.

Recent publications reflect Olasanmi’s commitment to addressing agricultural challenges through innovative research. Notable works include studies on provitamin A maize and cassava, focusing on resistance to pathogens and improving nutritional content. The research has been published in reputable journals such as Euphytica, Crop Improvement, Scientific Report, Frontiers in Plant Science, and the South African Journal of Science, showcasing Olasanmi’s contributions to the scientific community.

Olasanmi’s work has garnered support from various funding bodies, including the Kirkhouse Trust Foundation, United Kingdom; African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC); Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund Fellowship (ABCF), underscoring the impact and relevance of the researches conducted. Through a combination of academic rigour and practical application, Olasanmi continues to play a vital role in the field of agricultural science, particularly in the context of tropical crops and their genetic enhancement, and he is recently involved in Genomic Editing orientation programmes in Africa under AU-NEPAD.

Full Name: Professor Terkimbi VANGE
Date of Birth: 27 February, 1968
Department: Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy
Institution: Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Email: tvange@uam.edu.ng
Phone: +2348034790202

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Profile:
Professor Terkimbi Vange is a distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Biometrics at the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Born on February 27, 1968, in Gboko, Benue State, he is a Nigerian Christian, married, and a dedicated lecturer.

Professor Vange holds a B. Agric. (Crop Production) degree (1991) and an M.Sc. in Plant Breeding and Genetics (1997) from the University of Agriculture Makurdi, and a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Biometrics from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (2008). Starting as a Graduate Assistant in 1996, he rose to Professor in October 2014.

He has served in various leadership roles, including Head of Department (2008–2011), Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Seed Technology Centre, Deputy Director of Research and Development, Dean of the College of Agronomy, member of the Governing Board of the National Agriculture Seed Council (NASC) Abuja, and internal member of the university’s Governing Council.

As a USDA FAS Borlaug Fellow (2011), Professor Vange has published extensively in national and international journals. His research focuses on crop breeding, seed science, and agronomy, with emphasis on improving cereal and legume yields using modern breeding techniques such as Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS). His work on the genetic evaluation of soybean and rice genotypes, seed germination, and storage effects has contributed to improved agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

Professor Vange has been active in rural surveys, extension work, and capacity-building initiatives, including the Swiss Government’s Capacity Building for Agricultural Education in Nigeria (CBAEN). He has supervised over 10 Ph.D. students, 22 M.Sc. students, and numerous undergraduates, helping nurture future agricultural scientists.

He is a prolific author, conference presenter, and recipient of awards for excellence and societal impact. Professor Vange is passionate about improving food security through innovative research and education, and remains dedicated to the development of agricultural practices and societal well-being in Nigeria.

Full Name: Professor Daniel Terrumun GUNGULA, Ph.D.
Title: Professor of Crop Physiology
Department: Crop Production & Horticulture
Institution: Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
Contact Address: Department of Crop Production & Horticulture, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P. M. B. 2076, Yola
Email:
dgungula@gmail.com,
dgungula@mautech.edu.ng,
dgungula@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348035742004

Full Name: Mr. Godspower Ekeruo
Date of Birth: 23 June, 1987
Department: Plant Breeding and Seed Science
Institution: Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi
Email: godspowerekeruo@gmail.com
Phone: +234 703 775 8135

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Profile:
Mr. Godspower Ekeruo was born on the 23rd of June, 1987 in Lagos, Nigeria. He had his primary and secondary school education in Lagos and Imo State, respectively, after which he proceeded to the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), Nigeria, where he obtained his Bachelors of Agriculture Degree in Crop-Soil in 2011, graduating as the best student in his class.

He received a Kirkhouse scholarship for his Master’s degree program in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the Federal University of Agriculture, during which he also obtained training in Biotechnology application in Molecular Genetics and Plant Breeding at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA, and graduated in 2016.

Mr. Godspower is very resourceful, enthusiastic, energetic, and exceptionally well-organized. Because of his outstanding qualities, he was employed as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi and the Principal Investigator of the Soybean All Variety Trial in the Makurdi location.

He is happily married to Mrs. Elizabeth Godspower Ekeruo.

Interested in joining the Nigeria Journal of Plant Breeding (NJPB) Editorial Board?

We welcome experienced academics and professionals in plant breeding and allied fields to apply.

How to Apply:

• Fill out our Editorial Board Application Form
• Or email your CV and cover letter to editor@pban.org.ng

Criteria:

• Substantial research and publication record
• Relevant academic or professional experience in plant breeding or related disciplines
• Commitment to upholding academic integrity and peer review standards

All applications are reviewed by our Editorial Committee. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.