Yakubu became interested in math while studying at the University of Ghana - Legon, where he earned his B.S in mathematics and computer science in 1982.
The program at the University of Minnesota allowed him to make connections to further his positive contributions to the world, especially his research on infectious diseases in Africa.
The National Science Foundation funded DIMACS-MBI Africa initiative, led by Avner Friedmann, Marty Golubitsky, Fred Roberts as well as the NSF-funded Masamu project of Overton Jenda.
Yakubu left on sabbatical leave to MBI.DIMACS in Piscataway, New Jersey, MBI in Columbus, Ohio, NIMBioS in Knoxville, Tennessee, and similar mathematical biology institutes.
The special edition will cover topics inspired by or related to Yakubu's work in mathematics and population biology.