Nigeria, according to the Nigerian Society for Microbiology (NSM), should effectively exploit its microbial resources in solving poverty, insecurity, and environmental concerns.
Prof. Mohammed Yerima, President of NSM, gave the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a symposium conducted at Kaduna State University (KASU).
“Microbiology as a panacea for contemporary local issues” was the symposium’s theme.
According to Yerima, microbial resources can be used to solve the issue of soil fertility in order to secure a bumper crop and long-term food security.
Yerima also said that Nigeria may use microorganisms with a chemical appetite for hydrocarbons to rehabilitate agricultural fields polluted by oil drilling in the Niger Delta.
He claims that microorganisms may be produced in bigger quantities in laboratories to combat hydrocarbon pollution.
“They will eat it up and make the lands agriculturally productive,” he added.
The MSN president further said that microbiologists could use their skills in generating jobs for the large number of unemployed Nigerians.
“Micro organisms are easy to grow, the most important is to identify what they can particularly do.
“Micro organisms can be used as food themselves, mushrooms for example are very rich in protein and could be grown and sold in large quantities for monetary gains,” Yerima said.
The president disclosed that a bill sponsored by the MSN was awaiting presidential assent.
“We want the Nigerian Government to give us that recognition so that we can help in diversifying the economy, create jobs and protect Nigerians,” he said.
At the symposium, Dr Yusuf Gazali, the Managing Director Police Health Maintenance, said contemporary challenges in Nigeria require innovative and comprehensive solutions, including application of microbes that play profound roles in shaping lives.
Gazali said microbes wield significant influence in environmental sustainability, human health, agriculture and biotechnology.
In her remarks, Dr Fatima Mohammed, Head of Microbiology Department, KASU, said that the symposium was aimed at harnessing ideas and innovations towards addressing national challenges.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, urged the participants to push for the adoption of the transformative power of microbiology for a healthier, sustainable, and prosperous Nigeria.
Musa, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Yusha’u Ango, urged the participants to unveil the hidden potentials of the “microscopic wonders” and the positive impact they could have on humanity.
He urged students of the institution to be innovative and entrepreneurial, so as to be self-reliant in view of the high level of unemployment in the country.
NAN reports that Prof. Auwalu Uba of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, made a presentation on microbiology as panacea to contemporary local issues, while Prof. Yusuf Yahaha-Deeni of Federal University Dutse, focused on ‘Molecular biology and biotechnology, a role for microbiology’.
On his part, Prof. MD Mukthar from Bayero University Kano, made a presentation on biomedical laboratories and biohazard communication.
