UNILAG Don Unveils Fungus to Tackle Water Hyacinth

By ANITA KNIGHT

PROFESSOR Wahab Oluwanisola Okunowo of the University of Lagos has unveiled an eco-friendly solution to Nigeria’s persistent water hyacinth problem.

During his 23rd Inaugural Lecture, Okunowo revealed that an indigenous fungus, Myrothecium roridum, can act as a bio-herbicide capable of eradicating the invasive plant within 21 days.

He noted that the fungus offers a safer alternative to chemical herbicides, protecting aquatic life and public health while restoring waterways.

The professor also showcased other breakthroughs, including the insecticidal potential of orange peel oil, antimicrobial properties of grapefruit peels and marine algae, and low-cost methods for detecting soybean toxins.

Okunowo urged stronger collaboration between government, academia, and industry to boost food security, research innovation, and national well-being.