Department of Microbiology

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Science > Department of Microbiology

The Department of Microbiology is one of the core Departments in the Faculty of Science, dedicated to academic excellence, innovative research, and impactful community service. The Department provides comprehensive training in environmental microbiology, medical microbiology, food and industrial microbiology, microbial biotechnology, virology, and immunology. It prepares students to contribute meaningfully to public health, environmental sustainability, industrial advancement, and scientific development.

Vision

To be a leading centre of excellence in microbiology, producing graduates who are globally competitive, locally relevant, and equipped to provide innovative microbial solutions to health, environmental, industrial, and societal challenges.

Our History

The Microbiology Degree option was one of the three programs introduced at the foundation of the original Department of Biological Sciences in 1983. This programme has been graduating students since the 1985/86 session. The Department of Microbiology, which was a unit in the former Department of Biological Science, was carved out in 2004 and is now a full-fledged Department.

Our Objectives

  1. To provide a thorough and pure microbiological knowledge on which practical applications and industrial trainings are based. The graduates are trained for job opportunities in Medical Laboratories, Biotechnological, Food and Pharmaceutical industries, Breweries, Agricultural and Veterinary establishments, Research institutes, Environmental Protection agencies and Educational institutions.
  2. The practical training both in the laboratory and industrial establishments prepare graduates to be self employed and even become employers of labour
  3. To provide a broad-based academic training upon which graduates of programme can build to pursue higher degrees of M.Sc., M.Phil/Ph.D in Microbiology and other related science disciplines.

Academic Programmes

The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to equip students with both theoretical foundations and practical expertise in microbiology. Students are trained in areas such as microbial physiology and genetics, pathogenic microbiology, industrial fermentation, food and water microbiology, environmental biotechnology, and bioremediation. The programmes emphasise experiential learning through laboratory experiments, field studies, research projects, and industry-based training that meet global standards in microbiological sciences.

The department offers courses which will enable students to acquire modern basic, applied and industrial knowledge of microorganisms, the interrelationships between them and other organisms and their environment. The pattern of the training is as follows: During the first year, the candidates are trained in general science, general studies (GNS) and General Biology, including an introduction to microorganisms.

In the second year, the students are exposed to what microorganisms are, their diversity and the interrelationships among them. The first half of the third year exposes students to the role of microorganisms in different ecosystems. The knowledge acquired is employed when the students go on a six-month industrial training programme. In the fourth (final) year, candidates are exposed to applied and production courses in Microbiology. Thus, with a sound basic and theoretical training at 100 to 200 levels and functional training and industrial experience at 300 level, the candidates are prepared for career training in Applied Microbiology at 400 level.

Research Areas

The Department fosters a dynamic academic and research community where students, staff, and researchers collaborate to advance microbiology. Staff and students actively participate in seminars, conferences, workshops, and community-based projects, contributing to solving local and global microbiological challenges.
Research in the Department covers:

  1. Environmental Microbiology
  2. Food and Industrial Microbiology
  3. Medical Microbiology and Public Health
  4. Molecular Biology and Microbial Genetics
  5. Microbial Biotechnology
  6. Virology and Immunology
  7. Antimicrobial Resistance Studies
  8. Microbial Ecology and Bioinformatics

Facilities for Student Training

The Department is equipped with modern facilities to support effective teaching, learning, and research:

  1. Teaching and Research Laboratories: for microbiology, food microbiology, immunology, and biotechnology practicals.
  2. Microbial Culture Collections: diverse microbial isolates for teaching, research, and applied microbiological innovations.
  3. Environmental and Food Analysis Units: for studying the microbiological qualities of water, food, soil, and equipment.
  4. Lecture Theatres: conducive for interactive learning, seminars, and collaborative knowledge exchange.

Past Heads of Department

Since inception, the Department has had the privilege of being administered by competent heads of Department as detailed in the table below:

Departmental Organogram

Prof. Olusolape Afolake Favour ILUSANYA

Ilusanya.olusolape@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Orcid ID: 0000-0001-6103-4501
Google scholar citation: 575; h index: 8; i10-index: 8
+23476048048

Professor Olusolape Afolake F. Ilusanya is a professor of microbiology, researcher, and administrator who currently serves as the Head of the Department of Microbiology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. With over two decades of experience in academia, she has effectively combined teaching, research, and leadership to advance microbiological sciences in Nigeria.
She holds a PhD in Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University (2015). Her specialisation is environmental microbiology, with research interests in soil microbiology, microbial ecology, and bioremediation. She has made notable contributions to the effects of xenobiotics on soil microorganisms and sustainable environmental practices through the use of eco-friendly microbial alternatives.

A passionate educator, Professor Ilusanya has taught and mentored hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students, many of whom now thrive in academia, research, and industry. She is recognised for her student-centred teaching style, emphasis on critical thinking, and ability to link theory with practical applications. She has published widely in reputable journals, presented at conferences, and is actively engaged in professional bodies in microbiology and related sciences.
As Head of Department, her vision is to build a centre of excellence in microbiological research and teaching, advancing sustainable practices through microbial innovation while fostering global collaboration in scientific research.

Recent Publication

  1. Egberongbe, H. O., Adekola, H. A., Ajetunmobi, A. S., Adewale, A. O., Ilusanya, O. A. F., Popoola, O. D., & Akinbola, O. J. (2023). Bacteriological analysis of effluent and the surrounding soil from a selected brewery in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. FUW Trends in Science and Technology Journal, 8(2), 191–195.
  2. Ilusanya, O. A. F., Olukole, K. M., Olayiwola, F. O., Osobamiro, T. M., Aluko, A. A., Oke, A. O., Adeyemi, E. O., & Nwagala, P. N. (2023). Microbiological analysis of a municipal dumpsite and its environ in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Experimental Research, 11(3), 170–181.
  3. Ilusanya, O. A. F., Egberongbe, H. O., Ogunmokun, O. O., Bashiru, A. A., Akinbola, O. J., & Oyeyipo, F. M. (2023). Screening of bacteria from the rhizosphere of maize for their antagonism against fungal and bacterial phytopathogens. FUW Trends in Science and Technology Journal, 8(3), 238–242.
  4. Nwagala, P. N., Bankole, S. A., & Ilusanya, O. A. F. (2024). Isolation and molecular characterization of cellulose-producing bacteria from waste dumpsite. Scientia Africana, 23(1), 73–84.
  5. Osobamiro, T. M., Ilusanya, O. A. F., Agbarakwe, S. P., & Olajumoke, O. I. (2024). Immobilization of copper, cadmium, and lead using NaOH- and H₂SO₄-modified biochar and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 15(4), 595–608.
  6. Olajumoke, O. I., Ilusanya, O. A. F., Adesetan, T. O., Osobamiro, T. M., Agbarakwe, S. P., Nurudeen, W., & Senjobi, C. T. (2024). Impact of co-application of biochar and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on microbial parameters in heavy metal-contaminated soil. Scientia Africana, 23(2), 13–24.
  7. Ilusanya, O. A. F., Olajumoke, O. I., Fogbonja, O. C., Egberongbe, H. O., Oyeyipo, F. M., & Yakubu. (2024). Molecular characterization of heavy metal tolerant bacteria from agricultural soil in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. Al Hayat: Journal of Biology and Applied Biology, 7(1), 45–57.
  8. Ilusanya, O. A. F., Osobamiro, T. M., Adesetan, T. O., Olajumoke, O. I., Agbarakwe, S. P., Senjobi, C. T., & Egberongbe, H. O. (2024). Effect of co-application of biochar and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Corchorus olitorius yield. Nigerian Annals of Pure and Applied Sciences, 7(2), 19–27.
  9. Sossou, I. T., Agu, G. C., Ilusanya, O. A. F., Olalekan, T. T., & Afolabi, O. T. (2024). Antibacterial activities of biofilm-positive urobacteria isolated from patients attending a urology department of a teaching hospital in Ogun State. FUW Trends in Science and Technology Journal, 9(3), 318–324.
  10. Onabanjo, M. A., Agu, G. C., Ilusanya, O. A. F., Adewoga, T. O. S., Popoola, O. D., Adekola, H. A., Sossou, I. T., & Afolabi, O. T. (2024, September 3–4). Perception of immunocompromised patients to antibiotic resistance, isolation and phenotypic characterisation of multidrug-resistant pathogens for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production. In Proceedings of the OWSD Southwest Conference (pp. 200–213). University of Ibadan.

Academic Staff

1. Prof. Samuel Adegoke Bankole – Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Mycotoxicology bankole.samuel@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID:0000-0001-9285-8300 Google Scholar Citations: 798; h-index: 14; i10-index: 22 (+2349161497586) Office Rm. 004
2. Prof. Moses Olusola Efuntoye – Professor of Medical Microbiology and Public Health efuntoye.olusola@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-3863-5672 Google Scholar Citations: 730; h-index: 16; i10-index: 20 (+2348058531194) Office Rm. 009
3. Prof. Ismail Babatunde Onajobi – Professor of Applied Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology, Orchid ID: 0000-0001-8738-1528 Google Scholar Citations:789; h-index: 14; i10-index: 22: (+2347065913072) Office Rm. 005
4. Dr. Haneefat Olabimpe Egberongbe – Reader (Environmental Microbiology and Public Health) bimpe.egberongbe@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID:0000-0001-8738-1528 Google Scholar Citations: 269; h-index: 8; i10-index:7 (+2348054576094) Office Rm. 003
5. Dr. Georgia Chinemenma Agu – Reader (Medical Microbiology) agu.georgia@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-5169-5584 Google Scholar Citations: 766; h-index: 14; i10-index: 16 (+2348340044101) Office Rm. 007
6. Dr. Titilayo Oyeronke Adesetan- Reader (Food and Industrial Microbiology ) titilayo.adesetan@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID:0000-0002 2775-6313 Google Scholar Citations: 295; h-index: 8; i10-index: 8 (+2348055469763) Office Rm. 010
7. Dr.Omowunmi Abosede Banjo- Senior Lecturer (Environmental Microbiology) banjo.omowunmi@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID:0000-0003-1880-6814 Google Scholar Citations: 499; h-index: 5; i10-index: 4 (+2347061942923) Office Rm. 006
8. Dr. Benjamin Thoa Thomas – Senior Lecturer (Molecular Microbial Genetics and Medical Microbiology) Orcid ID:0000-0003- 0675-5749 Google Scholar Citations: 393; h-index: 10; i10-index: 10 (+2348160096694) Office Rm. 002
9. Dr. Omolara Dorcas Popoola – Lecturer 1 (Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology) Orcid ID:0000-0001-6816-5627) Google Scholar Citations: 103; h-index: 6; i10-index: 3 (+2348075773022) Office Rm. 008
10. Dr. Hikmat Titilayo Balogun -Abiola- Lecturer II (Environmental Microbiology) hikmat.balogun-abiola@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng (+2348131991190).Rm 011
11. Miss. Ameenat Opeyemi Oloko Graduate Assistant (Molecular Biology) oloko.ameenat@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng (+2348102103186). Rm 12

Secretariat Staff

12. Mrs. Mopelola Olusola Sobowale- Senior Secretariat Assistant sobowale.mopelola@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng (+2348053050549) Rm 001
13. Mrs. Taiwo Modupe Odukogbe – Executive Officer (+2348056066644) Rm 001

Technical Staff

  1. Mr. Adeleke Adesanya Adesemowo – Chief Technologist +23470298092
  2. Mr. Joseph Oladayo Olaoye – Laboratory Supervisor olaoye.joseph@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng +23460860442
  3. Mr. Olusola Michael Bakare – Assistant Laboratory Supervisor. +2348061193785
  4. Mr. Sunday Ayoola Odunsanya – Assistant Laboratory Supervisor +234809452042
  5. Mrs. Iyabode Olufunmilayo Adebanjo – Senior Laboratory Assistant +234805330170 

Contact Information

  • Address: Room 001, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, OOU Main Campus.
  • Email: mcb@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
  • Phone: 
  • Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Department Courses

Undergraduate
  1. B.Sc. Microbiology
Postgraduate

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