Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, Chairman of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Board
Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, Chairman of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Board, spent Thursday walking through laboratories and experimental plots at the institute’s Ibadan headquarters, observing researchers at work amid modest facilities.
He said that the nation’s forests, long overlooked, hold untapped medicinal value. “Our trees and leaves are capable of healing diseases,” he said, noting that FRIN staff have demonstrated the potential to reduce reliance on medical tourism if properly supported.
Usman, who was on an oversight visit, said the institute faces persistent funding challenges, which limit its ability to expand research and translate findings into practical solutions. However, he expressed confidence in the institute’s personnel, praising their dedication and expertise.
Director-General Zacharia Buba Yaduma welcomed the visit, describing it as a rare opportunity for staff to showcase ongoing projects and the innovations emerging despite resource constraints.
For the researchers, the visit was more than ceremonial. It offered a chance to highlight daily struggles—old equipment, limited laboratory space—and to share the promise of Nigeria’s forests if investments matched ambition.
“The support of the Board gives us hope,” Yaduma said, “and we remain committed to turning our research into solutions that benefit Nigerians and the environment.”
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