Dr. Yahaya holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Biotechnology)from the University of Wolverhampton, UK; an MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Essex, UK; MSc and PGDip in Biochemistry from the University of Calabar; MSc Forest Resources Management (Silviculture/Biology) from the University of Ibadan, and BSC (Hons)Botany from the University of Sokoto.
Dr. Yahaya began his career with the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sokoto state in 1989 and seconded to Word Bank assisted Afforestation Programme as Research officer II and Extension supervisor. With Kebbi state Word Bank-assisted Afforestation Programme, he held positions of Zonal Manager and Deputy Chief Technical and Training officer until September 1997. He joined the services of SON in 1997, as a Principal Standards officer (PSO), and rose to the rank of substantive Director in 2018. He held the following positions in the Organisation: PSO/Head, Food/Codex, SON Minna zonal office-1998-2000; Zonal coordinator SON Uyo office, (covering Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Abia States) from 2000 to 2006; In 2006, became the pioneer Zonal coordinator and oversaw SON’s operations in Cross River State: Calabar Free trade/Export processing zone as well as Calabar port
In January 2008, as Chief Standards officer, deployed to SON Headquarters Abuja and served as a desk officer ‘Codex contact point’ as well as Desk Officer Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP); served as coordinator, border operations (Seme and Idiroko borders) between 2008 – 2011. Between 2011 -2012 as an Assistant Director, served as Head, SON Kebbi state office; Promoted to Deputy Director and appointed Regional Coordinator, North West, Kaduna from 2013 to 2016. In March 2018, promoted to a substantive Director and deployed as Director of, Technical DGs office in Abuja, and in December 2018 took charge as Director of Planning, Research & Statistics (PRS)based at SON Corporate Headquarters, Abuja.
He is representative of SON on the Governing Council of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
Dr. Yahiya’s core competencies are majorly in the area of quality assurance and management; Regulatory affairs in food and nutrition and their impact on health; Industrial and Agricultural biotechnology; Environmental issues and regulations (Afforestation/Remediation/ clean energy policies).
He is a member of the following professional bodies among others
- Nigerian Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology;
- Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology
- Forestry Association of Nigeria.
- Biotechnology Society of Nigeria
- Biochemical Society, UK
- Royal Society of Biologists, UK
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Lead Auditor in Quality Management System- ISO/QMS: 9001 -2015
- Auditor in Environmental Management system: EMS ISO 14001-2015, as well as in Occupational Health and Safety Management System: (OH&SMS) ISO 45001-2018
Dr. Yahiya’s hobbies include Travelling and Reading. He’s happily married with children.
