The Microbiology programme started in the Department of Botany, one of the pioneer Departments in the University and the Department’s name was later changed to Department of Botany and Microbiology to incorporate the two Degree options.

The Department became a fully fledged separate Department in January, 2011, in the 2010/2011 session, with Prof. S. A. Odunfa as its pioneer Head of Department. Other past Heads were: Prof. O. E. Fagade, Dr. Sherifah M. Wakil, Prof. A. A. Onilude and Prof. A. A. Ogunjobi. With effect from 01 August, 2025, Prof. Olubusola A. Odeniyi became the current Head of Department.

Overview

The Microbiology programme provides a strong foundation as a core life science for biotechnology, agriculture, food systems, medicine, environmental sustainability, and industrial innovation. Students gain deep understanding of microorganisms and their vital roles in health, industry (such as food, beverages, petroleum and petrochemicals), environmental management and many others. The programme also highlights Microbiology as a scientific bridge driving advances in biotechnology and related fields.

Philosophy

The philosophy is to train microbiology graduates who will apply microbiological procedures and techniques to solving developmental needs of the society.

Objectives

The objectives of the programme are to:

1. broadly train students for positions in the industry, health sector, research institutes;

2. prepare them for graduate and professional studies in applied areas of microbiology; and

3. develop their business skills in various aspects of Applied Microbiology

Other objectives include to

4. provide students with sound theoretical knowledge and practical competence in core and applied areas of microbiology;

5. equip graduates with relevant ICT and analytical skills for data handling, bioinformatics, and modern microbiological research;

6. inculcate professional ethics, biosafety principles, and good laboratory practice in line with national and international standards; and

7. promote problem-solving, innovation, and community-oriented application of microbiology to address health, environmental, agricultural, and industrial challenges.

Unique Features of the Programme

Microbiology, which is the study of microorganisms, has been studied since the advent of science. As the name suggests, these are living organisms that are very small and cannot be seen with the naked eye; while their activities and roles influence the sustenance of life on planet earth.

The programme includes a wider range and modern aspects (food, industrial, medical, systematics, pharmaceutical, environmental, petroleum, waste management, agricultural, biotechnology including genetic engineering and entrepreneurial) of microbiology.

In the Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Microbiology is studied as basic science concerned with the biology of microorganisms: Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Algae and Protozoa (which also have some stages of their life cycles at the microscopic level).

Applied areas of research of staff include: Environmental and Public Health Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Pathogenic Microbiology and Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology. The Department thus occupies a unique position in carrying out its mandate within the Vision Statement of the University. The traditional role of University in Teaching, Research and Community service has been refocused into Science, Technology and Innovation leading to new frontiers in Microbiology.

Environmental Microbiology: New areas include Geomicrobiology and Biomining where work is being carried out on bioleaching of ores to produce pure metals, and Petroleum Microbiology. This is in addition to traditional areas of soil, Aquatic and Microbial Ecology.

Food Microbiology: From the initial studies of microorganisms present in fermented African foods such as ‘Ogi’, ‘Iru’ current research activities in the area by the Department include the roles of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in food preservation and probiotic properties of the organisms.

Industrial Microbiology: The unit is concerned with efforts at characterization and purification of enzymes of commercial interest from microorganisms as well as physiological conditions for their optimal production. It is also involved in bioprocessing, bioconversion of raw materials waste to wealth and the creation of useful products and services.

Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology: This deals with the study of microbial genes and how these control microbial structure, function, behaviour and inheritance. The unit seeks to expand the frontiers of knowledge at molecular level of our local strains, their development for the other areas of our research.

Pathogenic Microbiology: This deals with study of biology of of disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and the biological processes by which they interact with their hosts. Microorganisms are studied in both Clinical, Environmental and food samples amongst others and their virulence factors/features are elucidated.

Employability Skills

Graduates of the Microbiology programme are equipped with strong scientific, technical, and analytical skills that prepare them for diverse and rewarding careers across healthcare, industry, and research. Career opportunities span private and government hospitals, diagnostic and forensic laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, food and dairy industries, breweries and alcohol production, petroleum and petrochemical companies, environmental management organisations, agricultural enterprises, educational institutions, government regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The programme develops graduates with robust laboratory competence, critical thinking, scientific writing, and effective communication skills, alongside meticulous attention to detail. Graduates are trained to contribute meaningfully to disease prevention and control, food quality monitoring and safety assurance, biodegradation and biodeterioration control, and environmental protection—making them highly valuable professionals in both national and global contexts.