A Nigerian academic from Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Dr. Mubarak Mahmoud, has developed an innovative method for measuring tree height using a photographic technique grounded in mathematical principles.
The groundbreaking invention, which significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of tree height measurements, was announced in a statement by the university’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, on Wednesday.
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Dr. Mahmoud, a product and current staff of ADUSTECH, recently earned his PhD from the prestigious Université Paris-Saclay in France. His method, rooted in the application of Thales’ Theorem and triangle similarity principles, introduces a virtual referencing equation to calculate tree height from photographs.
“We developed a virtual referencing equation that helps establish the relationship between points on a photograph and the actual height of a tree. Our method achieved an impressive correlation accuracy of 0.998 out of 1,” Dr. Mahmoud said during a reception held in his honour by the university.
He explained that the new method is not only highly accurate but also time-efficient. “On average, it takes just 1 minute and 30 seconds to measure a tree using the Mahmoud Method, compared to 10 minutes with traditional techniques,” he said.
The invention, which originated in Wudil during Dr. Mahmoud’s early academic journey, was further refined in France. “It all started here at ADUSTECH, in our classrooms and open fields, and now it has reached global recognition,” he added.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Mahmoud thanked his mentors, the university community, and those who supported the project. “This university has been my foundation and inspiration. I was well mentored here, and I can’t thank my teachers and leaders enough,” he said.
Speaking at the event, ADUSTECH Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, lauded the achievement as a milestone for the university and for Nigeria’s scientific community. He expressed pride in the institution’s role in nurturing the innovation and called for enhanced collaboration with Université Paris-Saclay.
To that end, Prof. Yakasai directed the establishment of a dedicated team within the university to explore joint research initiatives and deepen international academic ties.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Aminu Umar Fagge, a renowned forestry scientist at the university, highlighted the global relevance of the method.
“What Dr. Mahmoud has done is nothing short of revolutionary. With just a mobile phone, users can now accurately calculate the height of a tree,” Prof. Fagge said, noting that the method is the first of its kind globally.
He revealed that the invention has already been published in the internationally acclaimed journal Smart Agricultural Technology, and discussions are underway to incorporate it into forestry education curricula in select institutions worldwide.
“This development positions Nigeria at the forefront of forestry technology and artificial intelligence,” Prof. Fagge noted. “Mahmoud’s work is poised to transform forestry practices globally, offering a faster, more accessible, and highly accurate tool for researchers and environmental professionals.”
To expand the method’s usability, Dr. Mahmoud and his team have also developed an Android application, integrated with artificial intelligence, to make the technique more user-friendly and accessible. The tool, now dubbed the Mahmoud Method, is expected to become an essential resource for forestry professionals around the world.
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