Professor Ojonigu Friday Ati, an accomplished geographer specializing in climatology, climate change, remote sensing, and GIS, boasts a rich academic and research background. With over 100 publications in international and local journals, conferences, seminars, and workshops, his primary focus is on drought, desertification, and the impact of seasonal rainfall variability on agriculture and water resources in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Nigeria.
As a Pioneer Member of the Council at Federal University Dutsin-Ma and the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Security, he has held key administrative roles and served as a Visiting Professor in various institutions, including Kaduna State University and the Nigerian Defence Academy. Prof. Ati has been actively involved in mentoring and supervising numerous master’s and Ph.D. students, examining candidates for universities like Ahmadu Bello University and serving as an external assessor for professorial promotions. His dedication to teaching and mentoring spans over two and a half decades, earning him the title of Chief Mentor at Federal University Dutsin-Ma. Recognized for his hard work, he received an Excellence Award from the university in 2021. Prof. Ati’s impact extends beyond academia, as he played a significant role in drafting the 2nd Nigerian National Communication on Climate Change and served as a Climate Change Specialist for the World Bank and the African Development Bank. His expertise includes climate change analysis for projects in Plateau and Kogi States and contributions to the economic cost of land degradation assessments. Engaging in stakeholder meetings and workshops on climate change, Prof. Ati is a dedicated educator, researcher, and leader. Married to Dr. Maryam Hassana Ati, an Associate Professor of Plant Breeding, they have three sons—Joshua, Josiah, and Jesse.
