UK don calls for HTB to advance drug discovery in Nigeria

By Tajudeen Babamale

A Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, Prof. Olumayokun Olajide, has called for the establishment of Human Tissue Banks (HTB) in Nigeria to strengthen drug discovery and provide researchers with more human-relevant models for pharmaceutical research.

Prof. Olajide made the call last Monday (September 28, 2026) while delivering a public lecture organised by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, at the Faculty’s Lecture Theatre.

He said that Nigeria had the capacity to establish HTB, noting that ethically obtained tissues from surgical procedures and postmortem donations could provide valuable biological models for research and complement traditional animal experiments.

Prof. Olajide pointed out that tissues removed during surgical operations could, with patients’ consent, be retained for research, while postmortem organs and tissues donated with family consent could provide a starting point for building tissue banks in Nigeria.

While explaining that the initiative must be guided by strong ethical principles, particularly informed consent, respect for donors and appropriate regulatory oversight, he said that it would require collaboration among universities, hospitals, researchers, regulators and other stakeholders rather than the effort of a single institution.

The scholar of Pharmacology of Inflammation said that human tissue resources could support the development of patient-specific and disease-specific models for drug discovery, citing tissue models from patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as examples of how human biological materials could provide more relevant platforms for research.

The don also advocated stronger investment in natural product research, noting that Nigeria spends significant resources importing natural products despite possessing plants and other natural resources with potentially valuable medicinal properties.

He said greater collaboration among researchers was needed to investigate the country’s natural resources systematically and develop quality pharmaceutical products from them.

Prof. Olajide explained that clinical studies involving herbal products could be challenging because natural products often contain multiple components whose individual biological activities may be difficult to identify and preserve during refinement.

He, therefore, advocated the combination of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods to establish the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal products while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

The don urged Nigerian researchers to work collaboratively to move natural products from traditional use to scientifically validated and properly regulated pharmaceutical products.

He also encouraged students and young researchers to take advantage of digital technology in advancing pharmaceutical research and drug discovery, noting that their familiarity with information technology and access to digital resources gave them opportunities to accelerate research.

Prof. Olajide, however, appreciated the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for providing the opportunity to interact with members of the University community and share ideas with students and researchers.

Responding to the lecture, Prof. Egbewole noted that clinical studies involving herbal products had remained challenging because of the complex nature of many herbal preparations, explaining that the refinement process could sometimes result in the loss of some biological activity.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, however, shared his optimism that the approach presented by Prof. Olajide could help address some of these challenges and strengthen research into herbal products at the University.

Prof. Egbewole also asked the Faculty to take Prof. Olajide round some of the University’s research facilities including the Molecular Research Laboratory, Stem Cell Research Centre and the African Centre for Herbal Research, to enable him familiarise himself with the available infrastructure and explore possible areas of collaboration.

He said the University’s growing research infrastructure and involvement in the U6+ Consortium provided opportunities for stronger interdisciplinary and international collaboration in drug discovery, herbal research and other health-related fields.