A US scholar, Prof William J Zimmerman, is on a working visit to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for capacity building at different sections of the university.
A statement from the public affairs directorate office of the VC said the visiting scholar, working in agricultural development as a botanist/microbiologist, has been in ABU since Sunday, 7th June, 2026 when he arrived at the university.
Specifically, he is to conduct a series of trainings at the Faculty of Agriculture, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training as well as the TETfund Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy (TeCEP).
It is expected that the capacity building trainings will benefit both staff and students of the university.
The US visiting scholar was earlier in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, on a courtesy call.
He told the Vice-Chancellor that he was in ABU for various interactive sessions in the areas of agriculture and plant development.
Prof Zimmerman also said he would interact with researchers and academic at IAR and all other research institutes across the university.
The visiting scholar was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to Prof Zimmerman for the visit and assured him of ABU’s maximum support throughout his stay.
Prof Ahmed was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof Bello Sabo.
He stressed that the university prioritized collaborations in teaching and research, particularly in the area of agriculture.
Soon after the courtesy call, the renowned botanist/microbiologist joined participants at a workshop organised by the TETfund Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy (TeCEP).
Prof Zimmerman’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Missouri-Columbia was on the nitrogen-fixing Azolla symbiosis for rice paddies in Asia.
After his retirement, Prof Zimmerman has continued to participate in development overseas by completing 45 assignments in 23 countries with the US Agency for International Development from 2014 to 2025.
Zimmerman has since 2025 been a pro-bono consultant in Bangladesh and now in Nigeria.
In the long run, it is the society that will benefit from the result of the trainings because safer organic products will be developed and will lead to higher yield avoiding chemicals that eventually harm the environment.
And ultimately, Ahmadu Bello University will use the products of the trainings for commercialization.
The Director, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training, Prof Balarabe Magaji Jahun, coordinated Prof Zimmerman’s coming and the capacity building trainings.
The Centre Director, TeCEP, Prof FO Anafi; the Head of Department, Soil Science, Prof Aisha Abdulkadir; and other scholars were in the company of Prof Zimmerman at the time of the courtesy call.
