Campus News

Bees hold the key to human survival — Sadiku

By Isaac Lewu

The immediate past Head of the Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ilorin, Dr Nusirat Aderinsola Sadiku, has said that bees are essential to human survival and their extinction could spell disaster for mankind.

She made this statement in a chat with UNILORIN Bulletin in her office last Tuesday (May 20, 2025) in commemoration of the World Bee Day, which is marked globally every May 20.

Dr Sadiku, a Senior Lecturer and environmental researcher, explained that bees are critical pollinators whose activities are directly linked to food production and ecological balance. She said that while bees can survive without humans, human beings cannot survive without bees, as the absence of pollination would severely impact agriculture and food security.

She further explained that the World Bee Day serves as an annual reminder of the need to protect bee populations across the globe, especially in light of rising threats such as climate change, pesticide use, and habitat destruction.

Dr Sadiku added that she and some of her colleagues decided to join the global call for awareness by coming together as researchers from different countries to highlight the importance of bees, adding that without them, scientists estimate that humans may only survive for two to four years.

This year’s celebration featured a collaborative effort involving Dr Sadiku, Mr Matthias Münch from Germany, and Mr Stafford Mgode from Tanzania. The three are partners in an ongoing international research project focused on beekeeping and pollinator conservation.

Mr  Münch owns a beekeeping enterprise in Germany, Mr Mgode runs a similar initiative in Tanzania, while Dr. Sadiku represents Green Questers Associates, a research group based at the University of Ilorin.

According to Dr  Sadiku, the joint research aims to understand pollinator health across different regions and develop strategies that support bee survival through sustainable practices.

She noted that in Nigeria, more attention must be given to protecting pollinators by enforcing environmental protection policies, promoting organic farming, and supporting local beekeepers. Dr Sadiku praised the University of Ilorin for supporting research and conservation initiatives and called on government agencies and the public to join in the effort to safeguard bee populations