By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA – A Nigerian biomedical researcher, Dr Oyinlola Oluwunmi Olaokun, is contributing to global scientific efforts aimed at discovering safer and affordable therapeutic alternatives through medicinal plant research, with a focus on chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr Olaokun, a medicinal plant scientist, said her work investigates the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and naturally occurring bioactive compounds, driven by the growing burden of chronic illness — particularly in developing countries — and the urgent need for accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Speaking with Vanguard, she said; her research is driven by the desire to contribute to practical and scientifically supported healthcare interventions. 

She said; “medicinal plants have been used traditionally for centuries, but scientific validation is necessary to establish their safety, effectiveness and possible applications in modern healthcare”.

Olaokun completed her doctoral studies under the Phytomedicine Programme in the Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, at the University of Pretoria, where her academic work integrated medicinal plant science, toxicology, metabolomics, molecular biology, and biomedical research methods.

She has conducted extensive studies on medicinal plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective properties, with a central objective of bridging the gap between traditional medicinal knowledge and modern scientific validation.

“Africa is richly blessed with medicinal plant diversity that holds significant scientific promise. Through responsible scientific investigation and proper evaluation, some of these natural resources could contribute meaningfully to biomedical innovation and pharmaceutical development in the future”, she said. 

Beyond academic research, she has contributed to applied scientific work in food safety, toxicology, nutrition, sustainable food systems, and alternative protein development during her time at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi.

Her work has been presented at national and international conferences, including scientific meetings in South Africa and the United States, and she has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognised journals covering biomedical sciences, medicinal plant research, and toxicology. She also serves as a peer reviewer for reputable scientific journals and research funding bodies.

“My long-term goal is to continue conducting impactful and responsible research that contributes positively to healthcare advancement, scientific knowledge, and future therapeutic discovery,” Dr Olaokun said.