Even though it appears as if Nigeria isn’t doing anything to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, some Nigerian tertiary institutions are going out of their way to curb and/or find a solution to the deadly disease.
Kemi Filani News brings to you, four tertiary institutions in Nigeria making a move against COVID-19. They include; The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana (AIFPU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Federal Polytechnic Ekowe.
UNIZIK
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has announced a breakthrough in the search for a cure for COVID-19 by its Department of Pharmacy.
Prof Ikemefuna C. Uzochukwu, Principal Investigator, COVID-19 Drug Design, Discovery and Development Project, School of Pharmacy of the University, said his group identified nine existing drugs, 14 phytochemicals from natural products, and three N-acetyl glucosamine analogs with good binding affinities to two important COVID-19 proteins (glycoprotein S and protease), using computer-aided drug design tools.
These, Uzochukwu said, might be potential inhibitors and possible drug or lead candidates for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19.
Asked if there was any prospect for the findings, he said his group found existing (approved) drugs that could be used for pre-and post-exposure chemoprophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19.
“The identified phytochemicals performed better than the existing drugs and could be developed as well for pre-and post-exposure chemoprophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19.”
Uzochukwu, however, said that the next step was for the group to do invitro validation studies as well as Phase 2 clinical trials for identified existing drugs.
He called for funding and technical support from partners and collaborators to progress the drug development because, according to him, the group had been self-funded up to date.
AIFPU
The department of Science Laboratory Technology, through the Center for Entrepreneurship development, Akanu Ibiam Federal polytechnic, Unwana has produced hundreds of hand sanitizers that are 99.9% effective in curbing the spread of the deadly disease. The Rector of the Institution, Ven, Ben Enwo has donated some of the sanitizers to the state on behalf of the institution.
UNIBEN
University of Benin researchers have succeeded in producing a clinically tested ventilator. The research team consists of researchers in the departments of Medical sciences and Engineering.
Federal Poly Ekowe
Just like AIFPU, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe has succeeded in producing hand sanitizers to help fight against the spread of the deadly virus.
