By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
An Environmental Scientist and a lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof Ahmed Abdulhameed, has called Ecological Restoration arguing that humanity has pushed the Earth beyond its natural capacity to recover from environmental damage, creating an “environmental overdose.”
He made the assertion when he delivered the 48th series of the University’s Public lectures, titled: “The Earth on Overdose: The Anthropocene and the Call for Ecological Restoration.”
He emphasizing that ecology is not merely a descriptive science but a practical discipline that provides solutions for restoring ecosystems, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development.
The Lecturer also explained that the Anthropocene is an era in which human activities have become the dominant force shaping the Earth’s ecosystems. Population growth, industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, fossil fuel use, intensive agriculture, fertilizers, pesticides, and consumerism which have accelerated climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and ecosystem degradation.
According to him, “While agricultural expansion, irrigation, mechanization, fertilizers, and pesticides have greatly increased food production, they have also caused unintended ecological consequences such as soil degradation, salinization, pollution, loss of beneficial soil organisms, and declining biodiversity.”
The Don further stressed that sustainable agriculture ultimately depends on healthy ecosystems, fertile soils, beneficial microorganisms, pollinators, and stable climatic conditions.
The Speaker traced his own academic journey over three decades, progressing from forest ecology through biodiversity conservation, ecotoxicology, entomopathogenic fungi, mycorrhizal biotechnology, food safety, and finally ecological restoration and food security.
He disclosed that his research has contributed to agroforestry, environmental monitoring, heavy metal pollution studies, biological control, mycorrhizal biofertilizers, and sustainable agriculture, while also fostering international collaborations, research funding, and postgraduate mentorship.
Ahmed Abdulhameed concluded that, “Solutions to today’s environmental crisis must themselves be ecological. It advocates harnessing beneficial microorganisms, developing microbial agro-input industries, strengthening ecotoxicology research, building scientific capacity, restoring degraded ecosystems, and promoting sustainable food systems.”
The Speaker however envisioned establishing a microbial agro-input factory and a Centre of Excellence in Ecological Restoration, while encouraging scientists, students, and policymakers to produce knowledge and technologies that protect nature and improve human well-being.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Prof Ibrahim Hassan Garba, urged Professors in the University to come forward and apply for the prsentation of their individual inaugural lectures as the response to the call is still not encouraging enough.
According to him, “By this time, we should have several requests lined up for the exercise which is exactly what is expected from eligible presenters.”
While commending the efforts of the ceremonies committee of the University for their ecouraging steps so far, the VC urged for wider enlightenment to the new development where all Professors who are ready to deliver their inaugural lectures will apply for its presentation, an adopted method that has already replaced the earlier arrangement of delivery in order of seniority.
“Let me also repeat that the Committee should further explore outside academics in public and private sectors for the delivery of periodic public lecturers so that this aspect of the University education and elightenment is not allowed to die as well,” he added.
According to him,”There are Academics in public service and seasoned adminisrators who are leading sensitive organs of government and private concerns, who have alot to share with us on this platform. I am sure the committee will do the needful in this regard.”
