Federal University Otuoke

This study assessed the concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) in chemical stores at Ogbete Market, Enugu, and Ogbo-ogwu Market, Onitsha, southeastern Nigeria, during the wet season (June to August 2024). Air quality measurements, taken from six randomly selected stores in each market and a control site (clothing store) located at about 900 m away, revealed that while concentrations of SO 2 and NO 2 far exceeded public health guidelines (WHO), they remained below Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits. However, chronic low-level exposure, even within OSHA limits, can still lead to respiratory symptoms and reduced work productivity over time, especially in poorly ventilated indoor shops. Sampling was conducted at a height of 2 m above ground to reflect the breathing zone of an average adult, with data collected during morning and afternoon sessions to capture fluctuations in market activity. Using the Aeroqual Series 300 gas monitor, real-time results indicated hazardous conditions in many stores, and exposure factor–adjusted air concentrations (EF-AACs) were calculated to assess actual exposure scenarios. Hazard quotients (HQs) for each pollutant showed a concerning risk of respiratory diseases, particularly from SO 2 and NO 2 exposure, with multiple stores exhibiting HQ values greater than 1. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved ventilation and stricter regulations in these markets, while also contributing to the limited research on air quality in commercial environments in Nigeria. This study lays the foundation for future interventions aimed at protecting the health of workers in informal markets, advancing public health initiatives in regions with underdeveloped regulatory frameworks.

Technological advances in the food industry have garnered significant attention, particularly for enhancing sustainability and reducing food insecurity in Africa, especially in sub‐Saharan regions where several million people are undernourished. This increasing demand for food, coupled with consumers' desire for diversity and safety, has spurred innovations like Genetically Modified Foods (GMF). These programs involve altering the genetic makeup of crops and livestock to improve outcomes such as yield, resistance to pests, and overall efficiency. GMF programs constitute several innovative strategies such as technological interventions, including the use of better seeds and pest control methods to combat poor harvests and inefficiencies. Transgenic technology, a key innovation, modifies specific genes in crops to enhance resistance to insects, pathogens, and environmental stressors, leading to increased productivity and efficiency for farmers. Despite these benefits, GMF has sparked public concerns and controversies related to ethics, potential increases in global antibiotic resistance, nutritional quality, toxicity, allergies, and environmental risks. While these issues have generated debate, most studies suggest that the advantages of GMF, such as improved crop quality and resilience, outweigh the disadvantages. This review highlights the safety of GMF, noting that natural gene recombination through selection, breeding, and mutation has long been beneficial. Additionally, it addresses consumer perceptions and the significant concerns surrounding environmental risks and health hazards associated with GMF. Ultimately, while GMF presents promising solutions to food insecurity and agricultural inefficiencies, ongoing research and dialogue are essential to address the ethical and safety concerns raised by the public.

Purpose of Review In this review, an exploration of the biopolymer; carrageenan (CGN) has been provided with focus on elucidating its biological activities and the applications of its hydrogels in drug delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering. Recent Findings Biomaterials are known substantial building blocks for regenerative medicine, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Amongst these, polymeric biomaterials have greater promise because of the versatility of their properties. CGN, a linear sulfated polysaccharide obtainable from seaweed and its associated hydrogels are promising candidates for several biomedical applications including wound healing, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Unique gelling mechanism, strong negative charge, strong water absorption property and the presence of several functional groups are the properties that project this biopolymer as suitable for these applications. The outlined properties notwithstanding, CGN like most biomaterials has some limitations including the uncontrollable exchange of ions in its hydrogels. The presence of functional groups on the polysaccharide provides an opportunity for its chemical modification; these modifications enhance the physicochemical properties of the hydrogels. Summary The seaweed- derived CGN has several applications in the biomedical industry for tissue engineering, drug delivery and wound healing due to its outstanding inherent properties. Its applicability as well as those of it hydrogels can be enhanced by chemical modifications.

The human microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease, with recent innovations in microbiome research offering groundbreaking insights that could reshape the future of healthcare. This study explored emerging methodologies, such as long-read sequencing, culturomics, synthetic biology, machine learning, and AI-driven diagnostics, that are transforming the field of microbiome–host interactions. Unlike traditional broad-spectrum approaches, these tools enable precise interventions, such as detecting foodborne pathogens and remediating polluted soils for safer agriculture. This work highlights the integration of interdisciplinary approaches and non-animal models, such as 3D cultures and organ-on-a-chip technologies, which address the limitations of current research and present ethical, scalable alternatives for microbiome studies. Focusing on food safety and environmental health, we examine how microbial variability impacts pathogen control in food chains and ecosystem resilience, integrating socioeconomic and environmental factors. The study also emphasizes the need to expand beyond bacterial-focused microbiome research, advocating for the inclusion of fungi, viruses, and helminths to deepen our understanding of therapeutic microbial consortia. The combination of high-throughput sequencing, biosensors, bioinformatics, and machine learning drives precision strategies, such as reducing food spoilage and enhancing soil fertility, paving the way for sustainable food systems and environmental management. Hence, this work offers a comprehensive framework for advancing microbiome interventions, providing valuable insights for researchers and professionals navigating this rapidly evolving field.

This study addresses the need for a fundamental change in the communication of climate change in Nigeria's Niger Delta, with empirical insights from Bayelsa State. Present formal methods, characterized by academic discourses, radio, and television discussions, inadvertently exclude non-literate persons, who are the most susceptible to the effects of climate change. Through in-depth interviews, the study seeks to uncover the challenges faced by the non-literate populations due to these formal, high-level communication methods and to explore the potential effectiveness of informal approaches. By engaging participants in in-depth interviews, the research assesses the effectiveness of informal strategies such as visual aids, interactive activities like townhall sessions, as well as storytelling, and town crying in local languages. These informal approaches demonstrate an understanding of the cultural context and individual experiences within the local communities. After a detailed thematic analysis of interview data, the study reveals that existing approaches to climate change knowledge pose challenges that hinder the ability of the non-literate populations to fully comprehend the associated nature, causes, and impacts of the problem. The research advocates for a more inclusive and symbolic communication approach that integrates both formal and informal methods. By focusing on the possibilities of mainstreaming informal climate change communication approaches into current modes of knowledge frameworks, the study contributes to the development of strategies that could inform a robust system of climate change awareness, thereby increasing the adaptive ability of non-literate people.

Structural biology is crucial in understanding disease mechanisms and in driving drug and vaccine development—applications that are particularly relevant to Africa’s challenges—yet Africa faces significant barriers to advancing structural biology. Here, the authors outline a recent capacity building workshop run by BioStruct-Africa, focused on training of artificial intelligence tools such as AlphaFold, designed to foster a highly skilled community of structural biologists in Africa.

Due to the prevalence of trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants in Africa, attention has often been placed on South-North migration. Thus, human migration, trafficking, and smuggling have dominated the global discourse in recent years thereby putting human trafficking into the mainstream of migration studies. African Union (AU) has through various policy frameworks tried to criminalise and prosecute those involved in human trafficking and human smuggling in Africa. Despite various AU migration regimes to curb irregular migrations and human trafficking, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants have not abated. The article argued that traffickers and smugglers leverage on lack of harmonisation of the non-binding migration policy frameworks among AU member states to embark upon both regular and irregular migration across the state and regional borders to traffic and smuggle migrants to Europe and other destinations. The conclusion, therefore, is that AU migration policy frameworks have little impact on the campaign against human trafficking in Africa in terms of abating trafficking in persons. This has ensured that the notorious Niger/Chad/Nigeria borders have remained the ‘Triangle of Shame.’ This article is essentially a desktop study relying on qualitative analysis of secondary sources and a rigorous review of policy documents.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are increasingly prevalent among aging populations. Oxidative stress contributes to these diseases, leading to cellular damage and neuronal death. Natural antioxidants are being explored as preventive measures. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of natural antioxidants in delaying the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases by identifying their specific mechanisms of action. A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on studies that examine the role of natural antioxidants in neuroprotection. Key natural antioxidants, including flavonoids, polyphenls, vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids, were reviewed and analyzed for their bioavailability, mechanisms of action, and outcomes in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, clinical trials involving human subjects were considered to provide insights into the translational implications of antioxidant consumption. The findings suggest that several natural antioxidants exhibit neuroprotective properties by modulating oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and promoting neuronal survival. For instance, flavonoids such as quercetin and resveratrol have shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and mitigating the pathophysiological alterations associated with neurodegeneration. In clinical studies, higher intakes of dietary antioxidants were correlated with a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders. Natural antioxidants offer potential for preventing neurodegenerative diseases by counteracting oxidative stress and maintaining cellular integrity. Overall, our report recommends that further research is needed to optimize dosages and understand their long-term benefits.

Integrating digital technologies in the practice of CE has been transformed which led to the emergence of the digital circular economy (DCE), which balances digital tools to improve circularity. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are necessary for international economic growth and face specific challenges and opportunities in the adoption of DCE practices. This study explores the SMEs transition to digital circular economy practices with the use of a qualitative case study approach that focused on the pure (sachet) water industry in Nigeria. The methods for collecting data consist of semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to understand the experiences, challenges, and strategies of SMEs in their transition to circular models. The findings reveal that while these SMEs recognize the benefits of digital circular practices such as cost savings, improved brand reputation, and compliance with regulatory bodies, they face significant challenges of lack of funds, experience and limitation of supply chain and digital track system. Despite these challenges, some localized strategies were implemented such as reducing waste and partnering with local communities have encouraged SMEs to make progress toward circularity. The study highlights the importance of building a supportive policies, having access finance, and getting initiatives for capacity-building to facilitate the global adoption of DCE practices among SMEs. These information contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the implementation of digital circular economy in developing countries and offers some practical recommendations for policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers whose aim is to foster technological sustainable business practices.

Diabetics mellitus remains a major global health challenge with increasing prevalence and limited treatment efficacy, necessitating the search for novel therapeutic agents. The continuous rise in diabetes cases worldwide, coupled with the limitations of existing medications, underscores the urgent need for effective alternatives. This study employs computer-aided drug design approach (CADD) via molecular docking operation to study the inhibitory potential, toxicity, oral bioavailability, drug-likeness, and protein–ligand molecular dynamics simulation (PL-MDS) of 103 isolated phytochemicals from Aloe vera against the alpha-amylase receptor (PDB ID: 3BAJ) towards the identification of novel lead compounds as anti-diabetic agents. The ADMET SAR2.0 tool was used to evaluate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity of the isolated phytochemicals, while SwissADME and PASS software were used to examine the oral bioavailability, drug-likeness, and bioactivity of selected lead compounds. The most potent and safest lead (chlorogenic acid, heterogenin, and 5-p-coumaroylquinic acid) and standard (Acarbose and rosiglitazone), in complex with the receptor were subjected to protein–ligand molecular dynamics simulation using GROMACS to validate the stability and interactions of the identified lead with the active site of the target receptor. The outcome of these operations favoured hecogenin (− 10.6 kcal/mol), chlorogenic acid (− 7.8 kcal/mol), and 5-coumaroylquinic acids (− 7.8 kcal/mol) as novel and potential inhibitors of the 3BAJ receptor. The identified lead possessed excellent binding affinities, drug-likeness, bioactivities, ADMET properties, and stable and effective interactions with the active site of the target. Thus, these novel compounds could be explored towards the development of new anti-diabetic medications.

This chapter discusses automation in healthcare delivery services, including the use of artificial intelligence-driven healthcare solutions. Artificial intelligence and other underlying technological tools have evolved to provide more effective and efficient digital solutions in healthcare, such as virtual health assistants, which simulate human conversations and provide personalized responses based on user input. Similarly, we discussed AI-powered Virtual Health Assistants and how they are intended to assist healthcare professionals and patients in performing tasks such as accessing electronic health records, monitoring health conditions, delivering cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety and depression, and so on. The fundamentals of virtual health assistants, their capabilities, the shift from virtual consultation to AI-enabled virtual health assistants, and the benefits and drawbacks of providing healthcare services were also examined.

The agricultural sector has been focused on meeting the nutritional needs of the growing world population, but it faces numerous challenges including increased climate change, urbanisation, and environmental degradation. Innovative technologies used in the agricultural sector to meet these needs include genetically modified organisms, nanotechnology, and vertical farming. However, there are concerns surrounding these new technologies, such as their effects on the environment and health of the populace. African countries cultivating genetically modified crops have implemented regulatory frameworks and risk assessments to address these concerns. Nanotechnology raises concerns about the migration of nanoparticles into food, necessitating the development of specific regulations. Aquaculture carries risks of pathogenic microorganisms and antimicrobial residues. This article discusses the effect of these emerging technologies on food safety in Sub‐Saharan Africa and emphasises the need to address the challenges faced with managing these technologies and opportunities to address the risks associated with them.

Ocimum gratissimum, commonly known as clove basil, is a medicinal plant acclaimed for its ethnopharmacological properties across different cultures. This review focuses on the cognitive-enhancing potential of O. gratissimum by examining its phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and specific indications related to cognitive function. We systematically reviewed the literature on the ethnopharmaceutical uses, phytochemical profiling, and pharmacological actions of O. gratissimum, with a particular emphasis on cognitive enhancement. Our findings indicate that O. gratissimum is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, which demonstrate neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Numerous studies on animal models have shown that extracts from O. gratissimum improve learning and memory, reduce anxiety, and protect against cognitive decline caused by various stressors. These results highlight the potential of O. gratissimum as a natural agent for enhancing cognitive function and possibly mitigating age-related cognitive decline. Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms behind these cognitive effects, assess the safety and efficacy of O. gratissimum-derived formulations in humans, and explore its clinical applications for cognitive disorders.

Africa is facing a food insecurity crisis, with approximately 346 million people struggling to access nutritious food and 690 million people living in poverty and facing malnutrition. This crisis is driven by a range of factors, including harmful farming practices, excessive use of agrochemicals, flooding, hydrocarbon pollution, armed conflict, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change. Ironically, while agrochemicals are intended to enhance plant growth, their overuse often exacerbates food insecurity, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable food production methods. To address these challenges, a shift from invasive farming practices to eco-friendly green farming is essential. Eco-friendly microbial inoculants have emerged as a transformative and sustainable solution, acting as nutrient supplements and plant growth promoters. These microbial agents support plant growth through mechanisms such as phytohormone production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and antibiotic production. Laboratory and field trials have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in promoting sustainable plant growth, particularly under nutrient-deficient and environmentally stressed conditions. This review paper explores the economic and environmental challenges posed by agrochemical usage in agriculture and examines the current state of food production in Africa. It highlights microbial inoculants as a promising alternative, showcasing practical successes and commercially available products. The report also addresses the current food security situation in Africa, the adoption of microbial inoculants in food production, and the challenges, trends, and future prospects of this technology within the African context.

Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are a global health challenge due to their progressive degeneration, leading to cognitive decline and motor dysfunction. Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) enzyme is implicated in neurodegeneration, and developing inhibitors could be a promising therapeutic strategy. This review explores MAO-B activity molecular pathways, evaluates MAO-B inhibitors in neurodegenerative therapy, identifies challenges, and suggests future research directions. This review synthesizes findings from a range of scientific literature, including experimental studies, clinical trials, and biochemical analyses that focus on the role of MAO-B in neurodegeneration. Information was gathered from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, ensuring a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in MAO-B inhibition strategies. The review reveals several promising MAO-B inhibitors that have demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models, as well as some that have progressed to clinical trials. Compounds such as rasagiline and selegiline have shown neuroprotective effects and benefits in symptom management in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, the review discusses novel inhibitors that target specific molecular pathways, enhancing the potential for improved therapeutic outcomes. However, several inhibitors also present challenges regarding their selectivity, side effects, and long-term efficacy. Research on MAO-B inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases is crucial, with ongoing studies aiming for selective, potent molecules with fewer side effects and multimodal therapies.

This study examines the structure and operations of China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Nigeria and evaluates the zones' potential as catalysts for Nigeria's industrialisation. By using mixed qualitative methods, the result from fieldwork shows that SEZs are not likely to become the springboard for Nigeria's industrialisation. The study identifies the major challenges hindering the success of the SEZs in Africa and Nigeria, particularly which include the lack of adequate infrastructure and the inability of the state to formulate and effectively implement rules that would attract investors to the zones, engender technology transfers and generate other benefits for the local economy. The article concludes that even as there are lapses on the part of the Chinese collaborators concerning the speed of construction work at the zones, the performance of the Nigerian state reflects significant weaknesses. These weaknesses mirror the often‐cited dysfunctionalities in the political economy of Nigeria and other African states, where these aforementioned challenges weaken state capacities to initiate and implement development programmes. The paper suggests policy recommendations on how to make the SEZs effective instruments of industrialisation and economic growth, a fundamental aspect of which emphasises engendering a developmental state necessary for creating the conditions for growth.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Despite extensive research on PAHs, a significant gap exists in understanding their spatial and temporal variability in regions heavily impacted by oil and gas activities. This study addresses this gap by investigating the distribution and risk assessment of PAHs in water and sediment samples collected from upstream, within, and downstream of the Ibelebeiki axis of the Kolo Creek in Ogbia Local Government Area of the Niger Delta region, Nigeria during three remarkable seasons (dry, wet-dry, and wet seasons). Standard methods were used for sample extraction and PAHs analysis was done using GC-FID. The result showed a wide temporal and spatial variability in the distribution of 16 US EPA (United States Environment Protection Agency) PAHs congeners. Naphthalene had the highest concentration in water samples during the three seasons (1.0564 mg/L, 1.0109 mg/L, and 1.0109 mg/L, respectively). Similarly, naphthalene had the highest concentration, with values of 1.9067 mg/L, 1.8111 mg/L, and 1.9067 mg/L respectively, over the three seasons in sediments. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment for children exceeded acceptable limits in all locations and seasons. In all the locations across the 3 seasons, a hazard index greater than 1 was observed. Carcinogenic risk assessment indicated a significant potential health threat. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two major anthropogenic sources of PAHs in the study area. This study emphasizes the urgent need for effective pollution control measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of PAHs on human health and the environment.

The global shift towards achieving carbon neutrality in energy production has sparked significant and growing interest across various sectors. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, there is an increasing focus on transforming lignocellulosic materials into alternatives that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This study presents a process evaluation of rice husk gasification using an Aspen Plus simulation environment coupled with an analysis of variance with the aid of Design expert software. The biomass sample was assessed as received for proximate and ultimate analyses and utilised as key input data into the Aspen plus environment. The process flow sheet was implemented using a combination of unit operation and unit process equipment with non-random two-liquid (NRTL) as thermodynamic and property data. Effect of gasification temperature (600-1100 o C), air-fuel ratio (0.05-1.00), feedstock moisture content (5-50wt%), oxygen/nitrogen ratio (0.25-1.00) on the syngas yield and composition, and tar production were investigated independently and collectively. Experimental design with AFR and O 2 /N 2 ratio as variables at 3 levels (-1, 0, + 1) using central composite design (randomized) was conducted and analysis was carried out. The result of proximate and ultimate analyses indicated that rice husk has ash content, volatile matter and fixed-carbon content of 13.56, 16.37 and 70.07 wt% respectively with carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen of 40.15 wt%, 5.98 wt%, 0.41 wt%, 0.78 wt% and 52.68 wt% correspondingly. The simulation result showed that increasing feedstock moisture content, AFR and O 2 N 2 promoted syngas production and tar formation rate except for feedstock moisture content, which displayed the opposite trend. Gasification temperature showed less impact on the syngas production rate but significantly reduced tar production rate. Feedstock moisture content increased methane (CH 4), and carbon monoxide (CO) while significantly and marginally decreased carbon dioxide (CO 2) and hydrogen content of syn-gas respectively. The effect of gasification temperature on the syngas composition was significant within 600-750 o C with improved hydrogen and CO content of 7-14% and 50-53% while CH 4 and CO 2 depleted from 26 − 21% and 3.0-0.07% in that order. The result of ANOVA revealed that the quadratic model best described the syngas and tar production rate in rice husk gasification with AFR in degree one and degree two and O 2 /N 2 as the significant factors for syngas production rate while AFR, O 2 /N 2 and-AFR-O 2 /N 2 interaction represent significant factors for tar production rate. The study presents a systematic approach for analysing the combined effects of AFR, O 2 /N 2 and their interaction on the syngas production rate and quality from rice husks.