Prof. Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), has emphasised that the health of stored agricultural products is central to sustainable national development.
He made the statement on Wednesday in Ibadan at a public lecture held in honor of the renowned agricultural entomologist, the late Prof. Anthony Youdeowei. The lecture was organized by the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan (UI).
Represented by NSPRI Zonal Coordinator Dr Mariam Aremu, Sanni noted that the journey to national prosperity must extend from production to the effective preservation and management of harvested products. He said poor storage, pest infestation, and contamination account for significant post-harvest losses in Nigeria, leading to higher food prices, reduced farmer income, and increased import dependency.
“Stored product health is not merely a technical concern for specialists; it is a strategic pillar for national development, impacting food security, public health, economic stability, and environmental sustainability,” Sanni said.
He highlighted innovations developed by NSPRI to improve post-harvest handling, including parabolic solar dryers, hermetic steel drums, storage bags, smoking kits, and inner-atmosphere silos.
Describing the late entomologist, Sanni said Prof. Youdeowei dedicated his career to research on stored product safety, and the tribute lecture aims to sustain and expand his contributions to national development.
Earlier, Prof. Morufat Balogun, Head of Department, Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, UI, said the late scholar was appointed in 1969 as the fourth departmental head and served about 21 years at UI as a teacher, researcher, and administrator.
“The department adopts ecological approaches to crop protection, conducting research to ensure the health of crops without compromising human well-being or environmental health. Prof. Youdeowei’s contributions have been pivotal in advancing this vision,” Balogun said. She also acknowledged the family’s pledge to establish the Prof. Anthony Endowment Fund for the best graduating undergraduate student of the department for five sessions.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Tolulope Oshosanya, described Youdeowei as an accomplished scholar and mentor whose textbooks and leadership have shaped generations of crop protection scientists in Nigeria and beyond.
UI Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, noted that Youdeowei served meritoriously as Head of Department, Dean of Agriculture and Forestry, and Executive Director of the University Publishing House. He also highlighted Youdeowei’s roles with international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank as an expert in integrated pest management.
Delivering the special tribute lecture, Prof. Kehinde Popoola of UI’s Entomology Department cited poor post-harvest practices as a major factor in agricultural export losses, calling for improved storage facilities, better regulation of insecticides, and increased stakeholder collaboration to protect food safety and boost export competitiveness.
In separate remarks, Prof. Georgina Mwansat, President of the Entomological Society of Nigeria, and Dr. Izonebi Obubo, a colleague of the late professor, praised Youdeowei’s immense scientific contributions, noting that his legacy would continue to guide scholars.
In his vote of thanks, Prof. Patrick Youdeowei, the late professor’s son, expressed gratitude to participants for celebrating his father’s life and enduring impact on agricultural science.
