By Edward Oseghe
BENIN CITY – A Professor of Environmental and Biochemical Toxicology at Edo State University, Iyamho (ESUI), Professor Usunomena Usunobun, has called for a national shift towards the deliberate use of indigenous medicinal plants and leafy vegetables, warning that increasing exposure to toxic chemicals in food, drugs and the environment is accelerating disease, ageing and premature deaths.
Delivering the university’s 18th Inaugural Lecture at the Aliko Dangote Auditorium on Wednesday, the renowned biochemist advocated the compulsory inclusion of leafy vegetables such as bitter leaf and fluted pumpkin (ugwu) in daily diets, describing them as rich sources of antioxidants and pharmacologically active phytochemicals capable of protecting vital organs from toxic damage.
Speaking on the theme, “Back to Our Roots: The Panacea to Insults and Assaults,” Professor Usunobun urged Nigerians to embrace scientifically validated medicinal plants for disease prevention and management, stressing that many modern drugs are themselves chemicals that may further burden the body.
According to him, the body is under constant attack from toxic substances found in food, air, water and the environment, leading to progressive damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and spleen.
“We live in a toxic world where our bodies are continually exposed to harmful substances despite nature’s abundance of rich medicinal resources. This reality informed the choice of my inaugural lecture title, ‘Back to Our Roots: The Panacea to Insults and Assaults,'” he said.
The professor explained that biochemical insults and assaults refer to chemical and molecular damage inflicted on cells, tissues and DNA by internal stressors and external toxins, often resulting in chronic diseases, cellular dysfunction and accelerated ageing.
He noted that toxic exposure occurs through inhalation of polluted air, consumption of contaminated food, skin contact and occupational exposure in industries and laboratories.
Professor Usunobun lamented that while many developed nations continue to invest heavily in medicinal plant research, Africans are increasingly abandoning traditional herbal resources in favour of synthetic drugs.
“Today, while the King of England is reportedly receiving treatment involving medicinal plants, many Africans continue to rely almost entirely on synthetic chemicals and drugs, exposing their bodies to more insults and assaults.
“Fortunately, scientific advancement is gradually taking us back to our roots as medicinal plant research is gaining global recognition and acceptance. We must rediscover and maximise the enormous benefits of our indigenous medicinal plants,” he stated.
He emphasised that beyond their health benefits, medicinal plants and leafy vegetables are environmentally friendly, biodegradable and cost-effective, making them suitable alternatives in both human and animal nutrition while supporting Nigeria’s environmental sustainability agenda.
Presenting findings from years of research, Professor Usunobun disclosed that commonly used Nigerian medicinal plants significantly reduced liver, kidney and spleen damage, corrected anaemia and provided remarkable hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects due to their antioxidant properties.
He added that other indigenous medicinal plants demonstrated strong anti-fibrotic properties capable of protecting the liver against fibrosis and early cirrhosis through free radical scavenging, membrane stabilisation and suppression of harmful biochemical processes.
The professor warned that although conventional drugs remain important in healthcare, they are becoming increasingly expensive and may produce adverse side effects, whereas many beneficial medicinal plants with proven bioactive compounds remain underutilised or are being exploited by foreign researchers for the development of plant-based pharmaceuticals.
He therefore called for increased investment in scientific research on indigenous medicinal plants to harness their therapeutic potential for improved healthcare delivery and sustainable development.
Professor Usunomena Usunobun thanked the Vice-Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, Professor Victor Olawale Adetimirin, the management, Governing Council led by Professor Olusegun Akinyinka, mni, as well as past and present principal officers and academic leaders for the opportunity to deliver the lecture and for their commitment to the institution’s growth. He also acknowledged the pioneering contributions of the university’s first Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Professor E. O. Aluyor, and the pioneer management team.
He equally expressed gratitude to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Usunobun Evbota, his extended family, and his wife, Oghogho, and children, Obehi, Ehinomen and Osejiemen, for their unwavering support, encouragement and understanding throughout his academic journey.
Professor Usunobun, a Fellow of the Nigerian Science Leadership Programme (2024), obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, his M.Sc. from the University of Ibadan and his Ph.D. in Environmental and Biochemical Toxicology from the University of Benin. He attained the rank of Professor on January 1, 2021.
A distinguished scholar, he has published more than 74 scholarly articles in reputable journals, supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students, secured several research grants, including the 2020 and 2024 TETFund Institutional-Based Research Grants, and participated in numerous local and international scientific conferences.
Professor Usunobun has also held several strategic leadership positions at Edo State University, including Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Director of Academic Planning, Chairman of the University Admissions Board and Head of the Department of Biochemistry. He currently serves as the Senate Representative on the University’s Governing Council.
He has contributed to National Universities Commission accreditation exercises across more than 12 Nigerian universities, serves as an external examiner to several institutions, assesses professorial candidates for leading universities and remains an active member of the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Society for Experimental Biology of Nigeria.
Beyond academia, he is the founder of Freedom Educational Consultants Limited and the Professor Usunomena Usunobun Health Awareness Initiative and Advocacy, through which he promotes public health education and research-driven advocacy on disease prevention.
, Professor Usunomena Usunobun, has called for a national shift towards the deliberate use of indigenous medicinal plants and leafy vegetables, warning that increasing exposure to toxic chemicals in food, drugs and the environment is accelerating disease, ageing and premature deaths.){kind=link}