Department of Biochemistry

Colleges and Faculties > Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS) > Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS) > Department of Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry is a leading academic Department in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. It runs a programme which offers a B.Sc. PGD, M.Sc. and PhD degrees. The Biochemistry programme provides a broad-based education that explains chemical processes that take place in living organisms and the causes of various deviations, which can invariably lead to pathological conditions. It also provides a basis for the manipulation of normal processes to achieve the desired outcome. Products of the programme will be suitable for employment in health, food and related industries. They can also be self-employed.

Vision

Our overarching goals are to carryout scientific enquiries that provide new knowledge regarding the mechanisms that drive cellular systems and hopefully translate these discoveries into useful commodities. We equally seek to educate the next generation of highly skilled graduates equipped to contribute to scientific discovery, healthcare, industry, and sustainable national and global development.

Academic Programmes

The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (both Full-Time and Part-Time) designed to equip students with a broad and balanced foundation of Biochemical knowledge and practical skills, develops in students the ability to apply knowledge and skills in solving theoretical and practical problems in biochemistry having direct relevance to the needs of Nigeria in particular and the world at large in the field of industry, medicine and agriculture and to provide students with a solid academic background upon which to build more advanced degrees (PGD, M.Sc., Ph.D) in specialized areas of biochemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving biochemistry.

Research Areas

The Department of Biochemistry is a leading centre of excellence, advancing knowledge through innovative teaching, cutting-edge research, and community engagement. A unique opportunity is provided within the department for research and training at the interface of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Our students, by our nearness to key industrial centres within the country, are well exposed to sufficient industrial training in health, agriculture and allied industries.

Research in the Department can be described under the following themes;

  1. Molecular Biology
  2. Biotechnology
  3. Membrane Biochemistry/Bioenergetics
  4. Biochemical Toxicology
  5. Nutritional Biochemistry
  6. Enzymology
  7. Protein chemistry
  8. Computational Biochemistry

These themes cover specific areas such as:

  1. Development of generically improved starter cultures for food enrichment during fermentation and for the production of industrial enzymes and secondary metabolic products.
  2. Development of bioactive peptides with therapeutic activities
  3. Membrane Biochemistry of Tumour Cells
  4. Bioenergetics of kwashiorkor and obese animals
  5. Toxicity of xenobiotics
  6. Biochemical effects of medicinal plants.
  7. Dietary carbohydrates fibre in health and diseased states
  8. Mineral metabolism.

Facilities for Student Training

The Department is adequately equipped for both research and teaching.  The research facilities of the department indeed offer good opportunities across a wide spectrum of Biochemical research. The list includes

  1. UV Spectrophotometers
  2. Cold centrifuge
  3. Rotary Evaporator
  4. Kjeldahl Apparatus
  5. Bomb Calorimeter
  6. Horizontal and Vertical Electrophoresis Equipment
  7. Gas-Liquid Chromatographic equipment.

In addition, the Department has a shared Central Laboratory with state-of-the-art facilities. The department provides opportunities for rigorous and focused research for both students and staff.  Lecture Halls and Classrooms are well equipped and conducive with spaces for interactive and effective teaching.

Departmental Organogram

Dr Esther Nkechi EZIMA

ezike.chi@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2567-068x 
Google scholar citation: 187; h index: 6; i10-index: 3
+234 8033685169

Dr Esther Nkechi Ezima is a Senior Lecturer and a researcher with specialisation in Enzymology/Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She had her tertiary education at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria, where she obtained her B.Sc. degree (Second Class Upper Division), M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in Biochemistry in the year 2000, 2006 and 2015 respectively.

Dr. Esther Nkechi Ezima had carried out individual and collaborative research works on areas of Enzymology, Protein Biochemistry and Environmental pollution. She is presently working on some microbial enzymes of importance in environmental degradation and antibiotic resistance. These researches are in tune with some of the problems plaguing most countries regarding the environment and drug resistance. In collaboration with colleagues from other academic disciplines, she had also explored the effects of various medicinal plants and Cellgevity® on diabetes mellitus. Findings from these investigations have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of various plant extracts and Cellgevity® on the management of diabetes mellitus and other ailments associated with oxidative stress.

Dr. Ezima is humble, dedicated, disciplined, articulate, respectful and God fearing. She is a teacher and a learner, a team leader, good in communication and documentation, able to work without supervision, creative, observant, resourceful, and a good time manager.  Her motivation has always been to leave a good mark on the sands of time.

In her role as Acting Head of Department, Dr. Ezima provides strategic academic leadership and direction, with emphasis on administration, curriculum development, staff coordination, and student mentoring. She upholds excellence in teaching, learning, and research, while her leadership strengthens the department’s visibility and advances its contributions to addressing both local and global crop challenges.

Recent Publications

  1. Osonuga, I. O., Olukade, B. A., Ogunlade, A. A., Osonuga, O. O., Odufuwa, K. T., Ezima, E. N. and Adegbesan, B. O. (2023). The Comparison Of  The Effects Of Some Medicinal Plants On Heamatological Parameters And Liver enzymes In Wistar Rats. FUW Trends in Science and Technology Journal, 8(1): 147 – 152. Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. (Tetfund)
  2.  Adegbesan, B. O., Ezima, E. N., Hassan, B. O., Kehinde, J. O., Adewale, A. A., Osonuga, I. O. and Olalekan, S. O. (2024). Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activities, total phenolic and elemental contents of common herbs and spices (Moringa oleifera leaves,  Allium sativum (Garlic) and Momordica charantia (ejinrin) leaves) in South-West Nigeria. Pure and Applied Chemistry.96(10): 1339 – 1349.  De Gruyter, Berlin, Germany. http://doi.org/10.1515/ pac-2023-1128. 
  3. Ezima, E. N., Awotula, A. O., Adegbesan, B. O., Osonuga, I. O., Agu, G. C., Adesanya, E. O., Odufuwa, K.T. and Fagbohunka, B. S. (2024). Biodegradation of naphthalene using Kocuria rosea isolated from a Sawmill in Ikenne, Southwestern Nigeria. Pure and Applied Chemistry. 96(10): 1375 – 1381. De Gruyter Group, Berlin, Germany. (May, 2024). http://doi.org/10.1515/ pac-2023-1136.
  4. Adegbesan, B. O., Ezima, E. N., Adefuye, A. O., Johnson, J. S.,  Oguntimehin, A. B., Abdulrazaq, H. O. and Osonuga, I. O. (2024). Investigating the total phenolic contents, In-vitro Antioxidant activities and Elemental contents of Annona muricata, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Syzygium aromaticum in South-West Nigeria. African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences,(5(1): 34 – 52. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. http://doi: 10.33886/ajpas.v5i1.493.
  5. Ezima, E. N., Adegbesan, B. O., Osonuga, I. O., Faponle, A. S., Abisoye, S. B.  and Odufuwa, K. T. (2024). Isolation and Characterization and Some Properties of Cellulase From Fusarium graminearum Isolated From Corn Cob. African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 5(1): 53 – 76. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. http://doi:10.33886/ajpas.v5i1.494.
  6.  Ezima, E. N., Adegbesan, B. O.,  Osonuga, I. O.,  Adefuye, A. O., Adepoju, A. R.,  Bello, T. H. and Olalekan S. O. (2024). Purification and characterization of cellulase from May beetle (Phyllophaga errans) gut. Asian Journal of Tropical Biotechnology 21(1): 52 – 58. Society of Indonesian Biodiversity, Smujo International, Indonesia. http://doi: 10.13057/biotek/c210106. 
  7. Odufuwa, K. T., Otuyemi, K. M., Fagbohunka, B. S., Ezima, E. N., Faponle, A. S. and Itakorode, B. O. (2024). Isolation, Characterization and Biodegradability Tests of Cellulase from Bacterium Obtained from the Soil of Agro Dumpsite. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology, 41(1): 55 – 65. Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Nigeria.
  8. Olalekan, S. O., Osonuga, I. O., Okwute, P. G., Atekoja, O. E., Adeyanju, M. M., Adegbesan, B. O., Ezima, E. N., Odufejo, O. D., Tayo, B., Edema, V. B. and Taiwo, D. D. (2024). Clinical predictors of obstructive sleep apnea among residents of Sagamu local government area of Ogun State. The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology,18: 43. The Egyptian Scientific Society of Bronchology, Springer Open, Egypt. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43168-024-00290-1.
  9. Ezima, E. N., Adegbesan, B. O., Bello, T. H., Okelola, C. A., and Adefuye, A. O., (2024). Enzymes: Revolutionizing Drug Discovery, Manufacturing, and Treatment. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 23(2): 318 – 328. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. (Tetfund).
  10. Ezima, E. N., Adegbesan, B. O., Okelola, C. A., Bello, T. H., Osonuga, I. O. and Adefuye, A. O., (2025). Protein-Based Anticancer therapy: Applications, Challenges and future Directions. African Journal of Pure and applied, 6(1):14 – 21. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. (June, 2025).

Academic Staff

Dr. Bamidele S. Fagbohunka – Reader (Enzymology/Protein and Biotechnology) bsfagbohunka@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-5808-8306; Google Scholar Citations: 378; h-index: 10; i10-index: 10 (+234 8034719683).
Dr. Bukunola O. Adegbesan – Reader (Biochemical Toxicology, Phytopharmacology and Drug Development) adegbesan.bukunola@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng  Orcid ID: 0000-0001-8051-0569; Google Scholar Citations: 237; h-index: 8; i10-index: 5 (+234 8056128331).
Dr. Muinat M. Adeyanju- Reader (Protein/Nutritional Biochemistry) mmadeyanju@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-6383-3275; Google Scholar Citations: 252; h-index: 9; i10-index: 9 (+234 8067191759).
Dr. Kuburat T. Odufuwa – Senior Lecturer (Molecular Biology/Biotechnology) odufuwa.temitope@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-8381-5077; Google Scholar Citations: 115; h-index: 8;  i10-index: 5 (+234 9136852169). 
Dr. Abayomi S. Faponle – Senior Lecturer (Computational Biocatalysis /Enzymology and Biotechnology) abayomi.faponle@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-6989-0342; Google Scholar Citations:  1275; h-index: 16; i10-index: 18 (+234 8149035934).
Dr. Akintunde Akinpelu- Lecturer I (Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrine Biochemistry) akinpelu.akintunde@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-5346-8406; Google Scholar Citations:  36; h-index: 4; i10-index: 1 (+234 8067724617).

Technological Staff

Mr. Paul O. Osineye – Chief Technologist  paulolaleye@yahoo.com +234 8136887550
Mrs. Tolulope F. Ashidi – Assistant Chief Technologist ashidi.tolulope@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng  +234 7055751023
Mr. Adelowo A. Adebiyi – Assistant Chief Technologist adelowo.augustine@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng  +234 8033657181
Mr. Olufemi Museliu – Technologist II  femvic5@gmail.com +234 8169342549

Non-Academic Staff

Mrs. Ibironke A. Awonaike – Senior Secretariat Assistant I awonaike.ibironke@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng +234 8030458255

Contact Information

Department Courses

Undergraduate
  1. B.Sc. Biochemistry
  2. MBChB Medicine and Surgery

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Dec

2025

Matriculation for Fresh Students (2025/2026 Session)

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