“This Was a Game-Changer”: Akume’s Aide Emerges as Africa’s First Professor of Radioecology

• A Nigerian scholar, Professor Babatunde Bolaji Benard, has emerged as Africaʼs first professor of radioecology
• Babatunde is the senior special assistant to the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume
• He is a Google Scholar-rated scientist and a two-time recipient of the International Foundation for Science grant

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide

FCT, Abuja - The International Atomic Energy Agency has declared Professor Babatunde Bolaji Benard, the senior special assistant to the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, as Africaʼs first professor of radioecology.

Babatunde’s achievement signals Africa's growing prominence in scientific research, especially in nuclear science and environmental safety.

According to Vanguard, this was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, October 6.

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Profile of Africa’s first professor of radioecology

Babatunde obtained a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Ecology and Environmental Biology from the University of Ibadan, in Oyo state.

Babatunde earned a PhD in Radiometric Assessment of Pollution Trends in the Niger Delta through a Split-Side Commonwealth Scholarship at Lancaster University in the UK and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers state.

Professor Triple B, as he is affectionately known, is a Google Scholar-rated scientist and a two-time recipient of the International Foundation for Science grant.

Babatunde has published over 90 high-impact articles in respected journals worldwide.

“In 2008, Professor Babatunde led a project that would transform the landscape of scientific research in Africa. Alongside his team, he successfully secured a grant from the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA to create RAF07/008, a project that applied nuclear analytical techniques for pollution monitoring across Nigeriaʼs 853 km coastline.

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“This was a game-changer, resulting in the establishment of Africaʼs first-ever radioecology laboratory.”

Nigerian-born shines in American university

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian-born Dr. Peter O. Nwosu emerged as the 11th and first black President of the State University of New York at Oswego, United States.

Peter Obi has congratulated Nwosu for being the first African-born president and an immigrant to lead the 163-year-old institution.

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023 said Nwosu's achievement is a reminder for Nigeria to prioritize investment in education.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng