Professor Rabia Sa’id of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has clarified that her appointment to the United Nations Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War is not a recent development, despite renewed attention surrounding the news on social media.
In a statement shared on her verified Facebook page, Sa’id explained that she was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to the 21-member panel in December 2025 and that the team has already begun its work.
The appointment, which was created through the UN General Assembly Resolution 79/238, brings together leading scientists from around the world to examine the global consequences of nuclear conflict and provide recommendations on nuclear risk reduction and humanitarian protection.
Following a recent report that generated fresh reactions online, the professor said the announcement was simply a renewed circulation of an already existing appointment.
“Thank you for all your good wishes, but it should be noted that this is not a new appointment. It is the same appointment we celebrated last year when the UN Secretary-General announced the members of the UN Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War,” she said.
Sa’id noted that the panel has been active since its inauguration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. She added that members have held several virtual meetings and an in-person session in Vienna, Austria, in March.
She also disclosed that further meetings are scheduled in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside regional consultations before the panel submits its report to the UN General Assembly in 2027.
Born in Wangara, Kano State, Professor Rabia Sa’id obtained her Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees in Physics from Bayero University, Kano. She later earned another Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, through a Ford Foundation Fellowship.
She became one of the first two female lecturers in BUK’s Department of Physics, breaking gender barriers and inspiring more women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Beyond her academic achievements, Sa’id is recognised for her contributions to atmospheric physics, space-weather studies, electronics and particle physics. She has also worked on practical solutions to environmental challenges, including developing eco-friendly fuel briquettes from carpentry waste to reduce dependence on firewood.
She also led initiatives involving affordable air-quality monitoring systems that combine local sensor data with satellite information to improve climate research.
Her role on the UN panel has been described by observers as another example of Nigeria’s growing contribution to global scientific research, international safety and policy discussions.
