Campus News

UNILORIN partners foreign scientists on alternatives to antibiotics

By Tajudeen Babamale

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has expressed delight over the ongoing collaboration between Dr Ismail Odetokun of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, and a consortium of scientists from the United Kingdom and Spain. The collaboration is aimed at developing safe and locally produced alternatives to antibiotics for livestock and aquaculture.

The innovative research project, named BAC4RumA, is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) and it seeks to produce bacteriocin-rich extracts from specially engineered lactic acid bacteria-natural substances capable of effectively replacing antibiotics in treating diseases in cattle and fish.

Receiving the international research team in his office, Prof. Egbewole described the collaboration as a proud moment for the University and a testament to its growing relevance in global scientific innovation.

He lauded Dr Odetokun and his partners for positioning the University on the world map of impactful research, noting that the initiative underscores Unilorin’s commitment to addressing critical health and agricultural challenges through science-driven solutions.

The Vice Chancellor also explained the need for continuity in research, stressing that each phase of inquiry should inspire future innovations capable of tackling emerging global problems in agriculture and health.

Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin, the leader of the University’s research team, Dr Ismail Odetokun, explained that the team had engaged with farmers and researchers across various locations to understand antibiotic use patterns and incorporate their experiences into developing practical solutions. He revealed that preliminary surveys had yielded promising results to be published soon.

Dr Odetokun said, “Farmers are showing strong interest and are willing to participate in trials. Some are already requesting the product for use on their farms. While we still have more research to do before commercialisation, the enthusiasm is very encouraging”.

Earlier in his remarks, a Lecturer in Global Health at the Department of Health Studies, Royal Holloway, University of London, Dr Mahmoud Eltholth, stated that the partnership is designed to promote sustainability by empowering Nigerian scientists and institutions to develop animal health innovations locally, to reduce dependence on imported drugs.

Dr Eltholth explained that the transdisciplinary project brings together experts from Spain, the UK, and Nigeria to develop and validate bacteriocin extracts as viable alternatives to antibiotics. He added that the goal of the team is to provide solutions to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance through locally developed innovations for use in livestock and aquaculture.

Also speaking, the representative of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, Dr Najete Safini, stressed the importance of indigenous solutions in combating antimicrobial resistance.

According to her, “The world is running out of new antibiotics, and resistant bacteria are spreading fast. This makes it crucial for countries like Nigeria to develop homegrown alternatives. That’s why projects like this, led by Nigerian researchers, are vital for sustainable health and food systems.”