‎By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja 

‎‎Professor Isah Yinusa of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has called for urgent institutional and governmental action to unlock the power of bioactive compounds from nature, positioning them as key drivers for breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

‎‎Yinusa made this known on Wednesday while delivering the university’s 38th inaugural lecture titled “Deciphering the Chemical Language of Nature: Discovering and Harnessing the Power of Bioactive Compounds,”.

‎‎Prof. Yinusa emphasized that while natural products offer unique molecular innovations, their full potential demands collaborative effort beyond individual research.

‎‎”We issue a direct call to action. We urged universities to establish dedicated research clusters in biodiscovery and green chemistry, revamp curricula to integrate ethnobotany with synthetic biology, and set up technology transfer offices to protect intellectual property and ensure equitable partnerships with traditional knowledge holders.

‎‎”Bioactive compounds from nature remain an indispensable and prolific source of molecular innovation, offering unique scaffolds and mechanisms of action,” he stated, urging a “concerted, strategic commitment from our leading institutions.”

‎‎Turning to government and policymakers, Yinusa advocated for policies aligned with the Nagoya Protocol to safeguard biodiversity and ethical bio-prospecting. 

‎‎He pushed for long-term funding in high-risk research, shared screening platforms, and public-private partnerships to translate natural leads into applications for health, food security, and sustainable manufacturing.

‎‎”For government and policymakers: Craft and enforce clear policies that protect biodiversity while facilitating ethical bioprospecting under frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol. Provide strategic, long-term national funding… and foster public-private partnerships to incentivize industries.”

‎‎In his recommendations for a modern natural product research program, the professor outlined strategic pathways including expanded bioactivity screening for diseases like malaria and antimicrobial resistance, early ADMET profiling to prioritize viable leads, advanced technologies like LC-HRMS/MS and ‘omics’ tools, formalized multi-institutional consortia, and industry collaborations.

‎‎”By embracing this holistic approach, we can ensure the legacy of natural product research endures,” he concluded, envisioning a “healthier and more sustainable future.”

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