THE STATE AND CHALLENGES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN WEST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

1. THE STATE AND CHALLENGES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN WEST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES BY ABIALA MOSES VISITING SCHOLAR , KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, OHIO HOST: Dr. C. BLACKWOOD DEPT. BIOL OGICAL SCIENCES KENT STATTE UNIVERSITY , OH

2. Phyto-beneficial bacteria

3. WEST AFRICA West Africa (WA) What we cherished Culture / Life Love / Happiness Natural resources Education WA Universities Public Private Map of West Africa

4. State of scientific research in West Africa Past Present Future Implications on upcoming generations Threat to sustainability of life in WA

5. Effects of Scientific research challenges in WA Universities on National Development Fluctuate Stagnant National development Science Science Science Time Time Decline National development Normal Science

6. Scientific and Technological Capacities of Developed and Developing Countries CaCa Source: Cameroon Ministry of External Relations, 2001S

7. Conservation of natural resources • Forest • Aquatic • Animals Current Scientific Research In West Africa West Africa River (Source: New England Aquarium, 1998). Source: African Conservation Foundation (ACF)

8. Protecting • Our environments and • Our natural resources • is our priority Waste Management and Environmental Pollution African Conservation projects: African great Apes Southwestern Cameroun/Cross-River, Nig.

9. Agriculture • Our pride • Our culture • Our life • Why food insecurity?

10. Overcoming food insecurity in West Africa Application of NPK Chemical fertilizer to food crops Cereal crops (Maize , Rice, e . t. c ) Legumes (Cowpea, Soybean, e . t. c) Tuber crops (Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam , e. t . c ) Abuse of NPK chemical fertilizer to food crops Contaminated soil Contaminated water

11. Genocidal effect s of NPK fertlizer on WA farmers Sickness, Diseases and Death Testicular cancer Gastric cancer Abnormal fetus Nervous system disorder Who will help us?.....WA farmers This is our CRY…….. University of Ibadan and Kent State University answered YES……..

12. Roles of Scientists to WA farmers challenges Finding alternative to NPK chemical fertilizer Environmental friendly alternative Question: Can soil bacteria replace NPK chemical fertilizer? Increase crop production? Enhance nutrients uptake? Chemical pesticides?

13. Map of Southwestern Nigeria showing Ecological zones and Study areas.

14. From the field to the Laboratory Field and Research Security

15. Research on food security in progress....... Useful soil bacteria Deadly plant pathogen to majority of WA food crops

16. Fusarium verticillioides Antagonistic bacteria (EPR2) Antagonistic bacteria (AT-IKS)

17. Research in progress……

18. Food security • Nutrients Uptake (82% Carbohydrate, 18% Protein) • Environments West Africa Universities Scientific Research Impacts

19. Application of biotechnology to food security in West Africa Molecular identification of soil bacteria associated with maize plants rhizo - sphere in West Africa Challenges Research facilities/Equipments Funding Capacity building Supervision capability

20. Check this out…… One of the WA Universities laboratory (Empty) Laboratory of Dr. C. Blackwood

21. Collaborative Research University of Ibadan and Kent State University Laboratory of Dr. C. Blackwood Application of molecular techniques to plant- beneficial soil bacteria Advantages Sustainability of life Biodiversity Improve nutrition Conservation Support MDG in WA

22. Laboratory of Dr. C. Blackwood • West Africa Soil bacteria • Extraction of DNA • Quantification of DNA • PCR Amplification of DNA • Sequencing of DNA Collaborative research in progress…….. Molecular bands of WA soil Bacteria DNA

23. Positive control Negative control - + DNA ladder 1986 bp 1700bp 1159bp DNA band

24. Capacity building • Research policies Science W E S T A F R I C A Overcoming scientific research challenges in WA Universities LIFE (Food Security) Science • Leadership • Funding • Collaborative research

25. Integrating Science Into National Developments Strategies in WA Growth Science

26. Laboratory of Dr. C. Blackwood, we are ONE family Field experience with Dr. C Blackwood, Dr. Leff and research colleagues

27. Acknowledgement University of Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa Prof. R. Abaidoo-Head of soil microbiology unit, IITA, Nig., and Current Provost of college of Science and Tech, Kumasi, Ghana. Prof. A. Olorunisola-Dean Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan, Nig. Prof. G. Adeoye- National Coordinator of Organic Agriculture, Nig. Dean of Arts and Sciences, Kent State University, OH, USA. Prof. James Blank- The chair, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, OH. Prof. John Stalvey- Dept. of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, OH Dr. Odebode (PhD Supervisor)- Dept. of Bot. and Micro., Univ. of Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. C. Blackwood (My host)-Dept. of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, OH Dr. Wendy Wilson Fall - The Chair Pan African Institute, KSU, OH. Dr. Jennifer Yanco- Coordinator of West Africa Research Association (WARA), Boston, USA. Research colleagues in the laboratory of Dr. C. Blackwood-Florence (Postdoc), Larry, Oscar, Matt, Suhana, Devinda, Mui, Eugene and others West Africa Research Association (WARA) Kent State University, Ohio, USA.