By SHAKIRA ADUNOLA

A University of Lagos(UNILAG) professor has discovered a groundbreaking, environmentally-friendly method for controlling the spread of the invasive water hyacinth, a perennial threat to Nigeria’s waterways.

Wahab Oluwanisola Okunowo, a Professor of Applied Biochemistry,revealed that an indigenous fungus, Myrothecium roridum, could act as a potent bio-herbicide to eradicate the plant in just three weeks.

Okunowo presented his findings during his 23rd Inaugural Lecture for the 2024/2025 academic session at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium, UNILAG. His lecture, entitled ‘From Cellular Metabolism to Biotechnological Applications: The Biochemist’s Journey’, outlined his extensive research journey and his commitment to tackling real-world problems through sustainable science. He explained that Myrothecium roridum is a highly-virulent fungus that could be applied to water hyacinth blooms to control them within a remarkable 21-day period.

This discovery offers a safer, more sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and public health.

Beyond his work on water hyacinth, Okunowo also highlighted other significant contributions spanning several fields. He detailed the insecticidal properties of orange peel oil as a potential alternative to synthetic pesticides and the antimicrobial benefits of grapefruit peels and marine algae. His research on soybean diseases led to the development of low-cost toxin detection methods and the identification of genetic factors for disease-resistant crops. In the realm of public health, he presented a study on the USF1 gene, which may offer protection against hyperlipidemia in Nigerians, a step forward for precision medicine in Africa.

In his concluding remarks, the professor stressed the importance of increased collaboration between government, universities, and industry to foster research and policy-making that improves food security and national well-being. He also called for universities to establish Plant Health Clinics to provide farmers with the resources and information needed to mitigate crop losses from pests and diseases.

The lecture was attended by members of the university community, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, as well as the professor’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Professor Okunowo, who joined UNILAG in 2003 and became a professor in 2021, currently serves as the Head of the Department of Biochemistry. His decades of research have focused on microbial biotechnology, mycotoxin control, and natural product pharmacology, among other areas.(The Guardian)