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Nigerian Surgeon Discovers Cure For Malaria
A Nigerian Facial Surgeon, Dr Bayo Aluko-Olokun, has said that his recent research shows that the adult human facial sebum (oil) contains potent mosquito repellent properties, which could possibly be used as a cure for malaria.
Aluko-Olokun, a facial surgeon at the Department of Facial Surgery, National Hospital, Abuja, made this known in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja.
The expert said he made the discovery after conducting studies at the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Lagos, in 2015, by testing the reaction of life mosquitoes to sebum-coated paper.
According to him, he applied the sebum to a piece of paper and placed it beside another with no substance applied in a transparent 70ml glass bottle.
“Evidence of mosquito bite is often seen on the face of children in the third world. This is rarely seen in adults as they produce copious facial skin sebum in contradistinction to children.
“Five live mosquitoes were introduced into the bottle and the highest number of mosquitoes standing on each piece of paper at any point in time was noted over 50 minutes.
“The total length of time in seconds, during which there was, at least, one insect on each piece of paper was also noted, and comparison of the results was then done.
“Up to three mosquitoes perched on the uncoated paper at the same time while none did on the sebum-coated paper.
“The total period of time during which, at least, one mosquito was found perching on the uncoated paper was 2,851 seconds out of 3,000, while zero seconds was recorded for the sebum-coated paper out of 3,000.
“The results of this preliminary study appear to indicate that human facial sebum holds promise as a mosquito repellent, and this calls for further study of this phenomenon,” Aluko-Olokun said.
He said that this finding was published in the Volume Two, 2016, issue of the Research Journal of the University of Mauritius.
He said presently, the Department of Chemistry and Entomology, University of Ilorin, was carrying out further studies on the properties of the sebum to reveal the active principle.
However, he called on stakeholders and the international community to key into the discovery by undertaking more studies and research on the properties of the sebum as a likely repellent against mosquito bite.
He said that this study could help end the scourge of diseases caused by mosquito bite such as malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the microcephaly known as the Zika virus.
He said that the dengue fever afflicted up to 580 million individuals yearly while the Japanese encephalitis had a fatality rate of 0.3-60 per cent.
According to Aluko-Olokun, malaria accounts for more than a million deaths yearly mostly involving children.
“Most of these deaths occur in low-income countries where citizens are unable to afford mosquito repellent.’’
He said that the search for a cheap, natural, effective and harmless alternative to currently available proprietary products could yield positive results and benefit for the people.
Aluko-Olokun said that apart from its medical implications this finding could also have positive effect on pest control in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industry.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.