Despite advancements in medicine, malaria remains a global health problem with devastating consequences, particularly in tropical countries, including Nigeria.
A Professor of Applied Parasitology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Titus Olusi, stated this while delivering the university’s 196th inaugural lecture titled “Parasite-Free World: Achievable or Wishful Thinking?” on April 14, 2026.
According to Professor Olusi, in Nigeria and other endemic regions, malaria “has been a menace to the health conditions of both rural and urban populations.” He warned that when not treated promptly, “malaria infection could progress to complications such as multi-organ failure in adults, severe anaemia, respiratory distress, or cerebral involvement in children, and eventual death if not properly managed.”
He added that, despite remarkable achievements in reducing malaria mortality, the disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. He also raised concerns that malaria-positive women often record very low parasitaemia and packed cell volume (PCV), indicating the endemic nature of the disease and its link to maternal anaemia.
The don further noted that malaria significantly affects vital organs, particularly the liver and kidneys.
Professor Olusi cautioned against the assumption that a parasite-free world is either achievable or desirable, stressing that parasites play critical roles in ecological balance and have significant socioeconomic implications. He explained that while selective elimination of harmful parasites is possible, total eradication is unrealistic and may even destabilise ecosystems.
He therefore recommended malaria prevention through the elimination of vectors. He noted that investigations into ecological factors favouring mosquito breeding revealed that proximity to human residences is a major factor, and such vectors should be targeted for control.
However, he cautioned against the use of synthetic chemical compounds in vector control, noting their toxic residual effects and accumulation in the food chain over time. He said experts have recommended the continued search for environmentally friendly alternatives such as botanicals.
The professor defined parasites as organisms that live in or on hosts, deriving benefits while often causing harm. He said, “Parasites and their hosts have co-evolved over centuries, maintaining a delicate balance. They rarely seek to kill their hosts, since their survival depends on access to nutrients and shelter. Tapeworms, for instance, are seldom fatal, illustrating this equilibrium.”
Professor Olusi underscored the socioeconomic burden of parasitic diseases, noting that infections, compounded by nutritional deficiencies, remain among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. He explained that parasites reduce workforce productivity, hinder educational attainment, and perpetuate cycles of poverty.
Diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths impose billions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost economic output annually. He emphasised that industrialisation, urbanisation, and climate change are intensifying parasite transmission patterns, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
He added, “Parasites are not only biological stressors but also socioeconomic disruptors, with impacts extending from hospital wards to classrooms, farms, and workplaces.”
Despite their reputation, he pointed to the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), still used in surgical procedures, as evidence that parasites can be harnessed for human benefit. He urged researchers to explore innovative ways of applying parasitology in medicine, biotechnology, and sustainable development.
Olusi concluded that “while selective elimination of harmful parasites is possible, complete eradication is neither realistic nor ecologically desirable. A balanced approach that combines scientific innovation, public health strategies, and socioeconomic awareness is required to manage parasitic relationships responsibly.”
In her capacity as chair of the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, described the lecturer as an erudite scholar who has contributed immensely to research and academic development in his field. She commended him for the delivery of the lecture, noting that the topic is timely given the need to safeguard human health and biodiversity while recognising the socioeconomic impacts of parasitic diseases.
