Nigerian Physicist Joins UN Panel on Nuclear War Effects

Rabia Sa’id from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to join a 21-member scientific panel. This panel will study the effects of nuclear war and its impact on society.

BUK media reported that the appointment is part of UN General Assembly Resolution 79/238. This puts Mrs Sa’id among top scientists worldwide who will look into the serious threats of nuclear weapons.

The panel will present its findings in 2027. This information will help shape international policies on reducing nuclear risks, global security, and protecting human lives.

Mrs Sa’id, who was born in Wangara, Kano State, has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics from Bayero University, Kano.

She also received a Ford Foundation Fellowship to earn another Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the University of Reading in the UK.

As one of the first two women in BUK’s Department of Physics, Mrs Sa’id broke down long-standing gender barriers. She encourages younger women in Nigeria to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Besides her key work in atmospheric physics, space-weather physics, electronics, and particle physics, Mrs Sa’id is known for using science to tackle real-life environmental problems.

One of her achievements includes creating eco-friendly fuel briquettes from carpentry waste. This helps reduce the reliance on firewood and fights regional deforestation.

She also led efforts to monitor air quality with low-cost methods. This involved combining data from ground sensors and satellite images to better track local climate changes.

Her appointment shows that Nigeria can offer high-level scientific knowledge for international diplomacy and safety.