A Professor of Environmental Chemistry at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Nurudeen Oladoja, has called for a revamp of Nigeria’s science curriculum to incorporate the teaching and practical application of Benign Chemistry.
He emphasized that this approach is crucial for promoting public health and environmental sustainability, especially in the area of safe groundwater access.
Prof. Oladoja made the call during the university’s 39th Inaugural Lecture, which he delivered on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
His lecture was titled “The Chemistry Beat: Harnessing Benign Reactions for Water Purification.”
Explaining the concept, the seasoned scholar described Benign Chemistry, also known as Green Chemistry, as a modern scientific discipline aimed at designing chemical products and processes that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.
He said the practice also promotes the use of renewable raw materials and prioritizes pollution prevention over remediation.
Highlighting the importance of this field, Prof. Oladoja noted that embracing clean chemistry would significantly reduce health issues such as dental fluorosis, skeletal deformities, and other ailments caused by consumption of groundwater with high fluoride levels.
“About 60 percent of fluoride ingestion in humans is through drinking water,” he said. “With many developing countries relying heavily on groundwater, there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective and efficient materials that can remove fluoride from drinking sources.”
Drawing on his extensive academic and research experience both in Nigeria and abroad, Prof. Oladoja called on scientists and researchers to adopt green chemistry techniques that align with the global sustainability agenda.
He also urged for increased funding for studies focused on Benign Chemistry and the mass adoption of current water purification technologies.
According to him, a strategic revision of the nation’s educational content at all levels is necessary to foster a new generation of chemists equipped with sustainable solutions.
“To achieve meaningful progress, we must educate future scientists on green approaches, which will not only benefit developing countries but also support the global push for environmental sustainability,” he added.
He further stressed that attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.1—which aims to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030—may remain elusive without integrating benign chemical practices into water treatment strategies.
“Water and sanitation issues are complex and cannot be treated in isolation. Since chemistry underpins all water purification processes, it is vital that benign chemistry is prioritized in developing technologies for underprivileged communities,” he said.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, who chaired the occasion, hailed Prof. Oladoja as a highly accomplished scholar and a globally recognized figure in Environmental Chemistry. He praised the inaugural lecturer’s significant academic contributions, noting that he has authored 117 scientific publications and continues to influence discourse in his field.
Prof. Ige highlighted Prof. Oladoja’s international engagements, including his roles as a visiting professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing (2019–2020), Technical University of Munich (2013–2015), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (2011).
He also acknowledged the multiple accolades the professor has earned, including four Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowships, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Presidential Fellowship, and grants from bodies such as TETFund and the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund.
In 2024, Prof. Oladoja's global prominence was further affirmed when he was ranked among the top two percent of scientists worldwide by the Stanford-Elsevier World Scientist Rankings—a testament to his groundbreaking work and international relevance.
