The Nigerian Society for Microbiology (NSM) has called on the Federal Government to integrate microbial innovations into national policies to address oil spills, waste degradation and food insecurity.
The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the society’s 47th annual general meeting at the University of Cross River in Calabar. They play a vital role in bioremediation and the restoration of degraded ecosystems, underscoring their potential for countries like Nigeria, which face persistent environmental challenges.
The society also urged policymakers to harness plant microbiomes to promote climate-smart agriculture, improve soil fertility and boost food production. It further highlighted the use of microbial control technologies to strengthen food safety and public health, as well as their role in discovering new antibiotics, vaccines and therapeutics.
NSM appealed for stronger collaboration between government, industry and research institutes, alongside increased funding and private sector investment, to translate microbial research into practical solutions. “Microbial innovations hold immense potential in healthcare, agriculture, food security, environmental restoration and industrial development,” the society said.
Leave feedback about this