Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa is a distinguished Environmental Scientist and public sector leader with a career spanning academia, state government, and federal regulation in Nigeria’s environmental and petroleum sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Driven by a passion for environmental sustainability, he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he obtained both his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Environment from the University of Abertay Dundee.
Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa began his professional journey in academia as a teacher at Kaduna Polytechnic, where his dedication and expertise saw him rise to the position of Chief Lecturer. He has also served as a lecturer at Kaduna State University, the National Open University of Nigeria, and Nasarawa State University. In these roles, he mentored generations of students and contributed to the development of environmental science education in Nigeria.
Transitioning into public service, Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa served as the General Manager of the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority, KEPA. In this capacity, he provided leadership in environmental regulation, pollution control, and public enlightenment at the state level.
In 2012, he joined the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, as an Assistant Director. Through meritorious service and technical competence, he rose to become Director of the Department of Oil Fields Assessment, OFA. He currently serves as the Director of ICT, GIS and Climate Change at NOSDRA.
In his current role and throughout his career at NOSDRA, Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s environmental governance framework. He has contributed to the preparation of policy memoranda, environmental regulations, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, ESMPs, and technical reports on oil spill management, hydrocarbon remediation, gas flaring, environmental monitoring, and climate change mitigation.
His work focuses on strengthening environmental protection, pollution prevention, and compliance with national and international best practices within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He is a strong advocate for the integration of Geographic Information Systems, computing technologies, and environmental data management to support evidence-based decision-making and institutional capacity building.
Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa remains committed to promoting sustainable resource development and advancing environmental governance in Nigeria. His multidisciplinary background in microbiology, environmental science, academia, and public administration positions him as a key voice in the drive for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment.