By Abdullahi Lukman
A Professor of Organic Chemistry at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Raphael Mordi, has criticised the poor state of waste management in Nigeria, warning that it is hindering the country from tapping into the health and economic potential of effective waste handling.
Speaking during the university’s 3rd inaugural lecture on Friday, titled “A Journey into the Chemistry of Waste, Wealth, and Health”, Mordi called for greater government investment in waste management systems to address environmental degradation and improve public health.
He highlighted that current practices are inefficient, pointing out that in some locations, waste is not properly sorted or processed.
Related Posts
“Certainly, waste management in the country is not effective,” he said, adding that a shift toward “fruitful waste management” could lead to wealth creation and health improvements.
Mordi also stressed the untapped medicinal potential in common local fruits, especially bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) and African star apple (Agbalumo), which he said contain antibacterial properties that could help combat drug-resistant infections such as tuberculosis.
Research, according to him, has shown that extracts from bush mango have antimicrobial activity and could be effective in treating ailments including diarrhoea, liver conditions, yellow fever, and diabetes.
He noted the growing concern over multidrug-resistant organisms and urged systematic studies to identify and test active ingredients in local plants for pharmaceutical use.
He concluded by calling for urgent attention to plant-based alternatives in medicine and improved waste handling to unlock their full potential.
