ABSU Researchers Develop Treatments for Prostate Cancer, Wounds, Diarrhea

Boniface Okoro in Umuahia

Researchers at Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), are making significant strides in developing treatments for various diseases.

The ABSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, disclosed this at a pre-convocation press conference yesterday, where he also said that 10,255 students are set to graduate on March 27, 2026.

Also, the triple convocation ceremony would be used to honour three distinguished Nigerians, including the Oni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dr. Stella Okolie.

Prof. Okeudo stated that researchers have investigated medicinal plants for treating prostate cancer, wounds, and diarrhea, identifying bioactive compounds for drug development.

Other breakthroughs by the eggheads include producing fruit wines and developing a machine to convert agricultural biomass into solid fuel briquettes.

The university is also exploring circular economy practices in Nigeria’s packaging sector, promoting sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, the VC said, adding that Social Sciences researchers were working on peace and conflict resolution in Nigeria.

He revealed that several parts of the studies have been patented and published in reputable journals.

The VC announced that ABSU  Senate has approved a new Faculty of Computing and Cybernetic Sciences comprising five departments: Computer Science, Information and Communication Technology, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

He said the new faculty has been sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for approval, explaining that there are 16 faculties and 68 departments in the university.

Prof. Okeudo, who assumed office on November 1, 2024, said the university recorded full accreditation in eight programmes, including Law, Agriculture, Mass Communication, Geography and Planning, Political Science, Educational Administration and Planning. Others are Library and Information Science, Education, Social Studies, and less than three weeks into his administration.

Next Friday, at the University Pavilion, ABSU will confer first and higher degrees on 10, 255 graduands during the 30th, 31st, and 32nd convocation ceremony.

Renown Robotic Engineer and former Minister of Mines and Power/Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power, Aba, Prof. Barth Nnaji, has been slated to deliver the pre-convocation lecture on Thursday, according to the convocation programme, while the state Governor, Alex Otti, the Visitor to the University, would inaugurate some projects on Friday.