Nigeria ranks 11th in biodiversity in Africa – IBBUL Dean

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

A professor of Pharmacological Biochemistry and Molecular biology, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Prof. Dickson Achimugu Musa has said that Nigeria is ranked 11th in terms of biodiversity in Africa with 900 species of plants, 940 species of birds, 303 mammals and 417 species of reptiles.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Achimugu made the disclosure at the University’s 21st inguinal lecture with the Theme; ‘Exploring Nigeria’s Natural Treasure Trove: A Pharmacological Biochemistry Journey From Plant to Pill’ at the institution’s auditorium, Lapai.
He stressed that Nigeria has the potential to lead in the research into medical plants to the development of new drugs and therapies, however, charged African researchers to collaborate and share expertise and skills in order to accelerate drug discovery efforts to ensure traditional medicine and modern pharmacology.
Prof. Achimugu also called on governments to provide support and funding, create policies to ensure safe and ethical exploration and use of natural resources for medical purpose for Pharmacological Biochemistry research in Nigeria and Africa.
The educationist maintained that challenged researchers and universities to partner and investment in drug discovery research and infrastructure to prolmote biodiversity conversation and provide opportunity for the commercialization of successful research results.
In his remarks, the University Vice Chancellor Professor Abu Kasim Adamu applauded the 21st lecturer for suggestions on how plants turn to pills for health purposes calls for emulation of the scholar in the area of specialization to bring economic, social and political gains to the country.