MICROORGANISMS: NIGERIA’S MOST NEGLECTED NATURAL RESOURCES

Abstract

In Nigeria’s current development efforts, microscopic life forms, collectively termed microbes or microorganisms, have not been accorded due status as natural resources, like economic plants and livestock. This is evident from the fact that hardly any efforts have been made to conserve indigenous microorganisms by establishing microbial Culture Collections equipped with facilities similar to those of countries that have continued to harness economic potentials of microorganisms. Also, interest in commercializing
indigenous microbial processes beginning with Nigeria’s diverse and  culturally accepted fermentations associated with production of traditional foods and beverages, seems to be minimal in Government and business establishments. The current situation is likely to limit interest towards application of microorganisms to higher levels of biotechnology such as environmental bioremediation and genetic engineering. Nigeria should endeavour to emulate Southern Africa that has attained a very high standard in harnessing the potentials of microorganisms; among other things, traditional beer production in that African region, has been commercialized to a level comparable to that of western lager beers, and at least one MIRCEN (microbiological resource centre) has been established in South Africa.