By Lydia Legbo
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, has commissioned the Bioinformatics Laboratory of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxins and Food Safety (ACEMFS) , FUT, Minna and simultaneously inaugurated the training of staff and students on its applications.
The event, held today, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the ACEMFS Complex, marked a significant milestone for the Centre.
In his remarks, Prof. Kuta described the Bioinformatics Laboratory as a major breakthrough in life sciences research, noting that it is designed to carry out complex genetic and molecular analyses. He expressed delight that the facility was established under his administration and that FUT, Minna now hosts one of only three such laboratories in Nigerian universities, alongside the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases ACEGID, Redeemer’s University, Ede and the Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence CApIC-ACE, Covenant University Ota.
Recalling the pivotal role ACEGID played in COVID-19 vaccine research through its bioinformatics capacity, the Vice -Chancellor noted that FUT, Minna laboratory would similarly enhance national and global research competitiveness . While many institutions struggled to decode the virus genome, Redeemer’s University leveraged it’s bioinformatics infrastructure to make remarkable contributions. This new lab will place FUT, Minna on that same global map, he stated’.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the World Bank for sponsorship and commended the foresight and commitment of the ACEMFS management for acquiring the laboratory, stressing that it aligns with the Centre’s sustainability plan as donor sponsorship winds down. He added that the facility would not only serve FUT, Minna but also position the University as a global reference point for bioinformatics research and analysis, particularly with the proposed establishment of the FUT, Minna Medical College.
On the training, Prof. Kuta urged the facilitators from Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication (CApIC-ACE), Africa Centre of Excellence, Covenant University, Ota to give their best in equipping the trainees with the fundamental skills needed to operate and maximize the lab.
Speaking earlier, the Centre Leader of ACEMFS, Prof. Anthony Hussaini Makun, represented by the Deputy Centre Leader, Prof. Hadiza Lami Mohammed, described the laboratory as a long-awaited project into which the Centre has invested heavily. She explained that bioinformatics integrates computational tools, statistics, and mathematics to interpret biological data, making it indispensable for drug discovery and advanced life sciences research.
“Bioinformatics is the ultimate stage of molecular and life sciences research. Results from wet labs are brought into dry labs for complex analysis. With this facility, our students no longer need to travel elsewhere, as agriculture, engineering, life sciences, and other fields will all benefit from it. This is the top of the tops,” she emphasized.
She further appreciated the University Management for its continuous support and thanked all who contributed to the realization of the project.
The laboratory is fully equipped with laptops, desktops, servers, PHC units, and relevant software packages.
The maiden training session is being facilitated by Dr. Itunuoluwa Isewon and her team, Emmanuel Alagbe, Dorcas Omonigbehin, Emmanuella Ekuri Matumamboh, and Temitayo Ogundimu all from CApIC-ACE, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
Photo Credit Lekan Osho dare
