A Professor of Aquaculture Nutrition at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Ademola Zaid Aderolu, has advised the Federal Government to provide adequate protection and incentives for farmers nationwide.
He was speaking at the 24th Inaugural Lecture in the 2023/2024 academic session of UNILAG, which he delivered recently at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka. Prof Aderolu’s charge came on the heels of the spate of kidnapping and farmer-herder clashes in parts of the country, which he said threaten food security and could lead to aggression if not quickly addressed.
Titled “Food-Feed Struggle, the Nutritionist as an Umpire”, Prof Aderoluof the Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science recommended scholarship for students studying Agric-related courses as a way of intensifying and making their courses more appealing.
The inaugural lecturer also solicited a stronger collaboration among the academia, industry, and all tiers of government in addressing issues surrounding insufficient fisheries production.
He equally advised professionals involved in diets, human nutrition, and health information to take the lead in promoting a culture that supports food/feed intake based on calories and specific nutrient needs rather than satiation based on the level of affluence.
While taking the audience through his research findings in Aquaculture Nutrition, Prof Aderolu expressed reservations over the rapid population growth in Nigeria and its implications on obtainable dietary habits and farming practices. He said no fewer than 821 million people currently face hunger and therefore called for urgent measures to address malnutrition and food insecurity.
The Professor of Aquaculture Nutrition lent credence to the superiority of Fish as an animal protein source, which provides essential nutrients at a lower environmental cost, especially when compared to terrestrial livestock as well as its wide acceptability across various religions and socio-economic groups, making it a crucial component of global nutrition.
He made a case for fish feeds to be made of balanced diets for their growth, health, and productivity, just as he spoke in favour of a circular system of nutrition since it offers the most resilient, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach, guaranteeing nutritious food for all while conserving resources and protecting the environment.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Professor Ademola Zaid Aderolu joined the employ of the University of Lagos in 2004 as a Lecturer II and progressed through the ranks to become a full Professor in October 2019 with specialisation in Aquaculture and Fish Nutrition.