Computational biology and bioinformatics in Nigeria.
Over the past few decades, major advances in the field of molecular biology, coupled with advances in genomic technologies, have led to an explosive growth in the biological data generated by the scientific community. The critical need to process and analyze such a deluge of data and turn it into useful knowledge has caused bioinformatics to gain prominence and importance. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research area that applies techniques, methodologies, and tools in computer and information science to solve biological problems. In Nigeria, bioinformatics has recently played a vital role in the advancement of biological sciences. As a developing country, the importance of bioinformatics is rapidly gaining acceptance, and bioinformatics groups comprised of biologists, computer scientists, and computer engineers are being constituted at Nigerian universities and research institutes. In this article, we present an overview of bioinformatics education and research in Nigeria. We also discuss professional societies and academic and research institutions that play central roles in advancing the discipline in Nigeria. Finally, we propose strategies that can bolster bioinformatics education and support from policy makers in Nigeria, with potential positive implications for other developing countries.
H3Africa Bioinformatics Network (H3ABioNet) Node, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Abuja, Nigeria; Human Genetics Department, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom; International Health Research Group, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Segun A
SA
Fatumo
Computational and Evolutionary Biology/Bioinformatics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Moses P
MP
Adoga
Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom; Chevron Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.
Opeolu O
OO
Ojo
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; H3ABioNet Node, Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria.
Olugbenga
O
Oluwagbemi
University of Hradec Kralove, Kralove, Czech Republic.
Tolulope
T
Adeoye
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; H3ABioNet Node, Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria.
Itunuoluwa
I
Ewejobi
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; H3ABioNet Node, Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria.
Marion
M
Adebiyi
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; H3ABioNet Node, Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria.
Ezekiel
E
Adebiyi
Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Clement
C
Bewaji
H3Africa Bioinformatics Network (H3ABioNet) Node, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Abuja, Nigeria.
Oyekanmi
O
Nashiru
D019295:Computational Biology / Q000193:education; D009549:Nigeria