Dr. Mohammed Lawal Buga holds B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University), Sokoto, University of Jos, Jos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively. Dr Buga joined the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) as Principal Scientific Officer in 1997. He rose to the position of Director in 2015. He headed Technology Development, Industrial Chemicals and Minerals, and Chemical and Pharmaceutical Materials Departments before his current posting to Planning and Policy Development Department in 2020.  

He is a recipient of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s Award for Hard Work and Dedication. The International Potato Center (CIP), Nigeria Project office, also gave him “Appreciation for Committed and Dedicated Service” award

Dr Buga was the Technical Assistant in the office of Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology from August 2002 to May 2003. He later became the Technical Assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology from July 2010-May, 2011. In recognition of his diligence and dedication to duty, he was given a Letter of Commendation by the Ministry.

 Dr Buga is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria(FICCON), Fellow, Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria(FMSN), Member, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (MIPAN), Member, International Statistical Institute(ISI) based in Netherlands, Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA), a Chartered Management Consultant and a Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants(FIMC), to mention a few. He was a visiting scientist at the University of Marburg, Germany. Dr. Buga has attended many training programmes locally and internationally, notable among them were Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for Developing Countries by the UNESCO Center for South-South Cooperation in Malaysia, ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Quality Management Systems by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Lead Assessor/Training of Trainers (TOT) Course by UNIDO. He was a delegate to the World Science Forums, Jordan (2017) and Budapest (2019)

Dr Buga has published numerous articles in local and international journals, co-authored and contributed articles to many books and technical publications.  He is currently the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Raw Materials Research.