"Eat Crabs Daily for a Protein Boost," UNILAG Expert Advises
She also recommended a closed fishing season in Lagos Lagoon during May and a ban on crab harvesting from December to April to allow for population recovery
Binye-lum 
Professor Aderonke Omolara Lawal-Are, a specialist in Fisheries at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has recommended that Nigerians incorporate crabs into their daily diet to enhance their protein intake.
Delivering the 17th Inaugural Lecture for the 2023/2024 academic session at UNILAG, Prof. Lawal-Are emphasized that crabs are the most affordable shellfish and a nutritious alternative to red meat, particularly for adults. The lecture, titled "The Carcinologist Expedition: Decoding the Mysteries of Coastal Explorers," explored the significant role crabs play in nutrition and their impact on the coastal ecosystem.
READ ALSO:No Nigerian University Makes Top 1000 Global Universities Ranking for 2025
Prof. Lawal-Are highlighted UNILAG's strategic location by the Lagos Lagoon, making it ideal for advancing studies in Marine Biology and Fisheries. She elaborated on her research into the lives of crabs, their survival strategies, and their ecological importance.
In addition to dietary recommendations, Prof. Lawal-Are urged the government to enforce water quality regulations, support local communities, and protect mangrove areas to sustain crab populations. She also recommended a closed fishing season in Lagos Lagoon during May and a ban on crab harvesting from December to April to allow for population recovery.
She called for increased funding for crab mariculture to enhance urban food security and support the development of lagoon crab farming.
Prof. Lawal-Are's research includes DNA barcoding of marine fishes in Nigeria, providing valuable data for the identification and conservation of marine species.
