KWASU Inaugural Lecturer Calls for Stronger Protection of Medicinal Plants Used in Malaria Treatment

A Professor of Public Health at Kwara State University (KWASU), Olusogo Adewole Olalubi, has called for the enforcement of sustainable harvesting policies and stronger environmental protection measures to safeguard medicinal plants used in malaria treatment.

He made the call on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while delivering KWASU’s 20th Inaugural Lecture titled “The Malaria Odyssey: Test-tube to Natural Products and Geospatial Modelling.”

Prof. Olalubi noted that a significant proportion of traditional medicines are derived from plants, which also serve as raw materials for both modern pharmaceutical production and traditional healthcare systems.

He emphasized that medicinal plants remain a critical component in the management of malaria, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to conventional healthcare is limited. According to him, their affordability, accessibility, and cultural acceptance continue to make them a primary option for many households.

The professor warned that several medicinal plant species within the Malete area of Moro Local Government Area are facing increasing threats from environmental degradation and urban expansion. He attributed the decline largely to deforestation linked to construction activities and settlement growth around the university community.

He identified species such as Azadirachta indica, Kigelia africana, Parkia biglobosa, Picralima nitida, and others as being at risk due to the shrinking of natural woodland habitats.

Prof. Olalubi urged that urban planning in Malete should integrate the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants, aligning with broader public health and rural development objectives. He stressed that malaria remains both a public health burden and a major development challenge in Nigeria, requiring sustained policy attention, improved access to healthcare, and stronger environmental stewardship.