With growing alarm around food safety in Nigeria, scientist Damilare Adeyemi is urging the Federal Government to update its food safety regulations by adopting phage technology—a cutting-edge method used worldwide to combat bacterial contamination.
Adeyemi, who created the lytic bacteriophage KFS-EC3 as part of his postgraduate work in South Korea, describes phages as “friendly viruses” that naturally hunt and destroy harmful bacteria, while leaving humans, animals, and plants unharmed.
His KFS-EC3 phage stands out for its unique ability to fight E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella all at once—three of the main culprits behind foodborne illness. Unlike traditional chemical sanitizers, phages actually multiply in the presence of their targeted bacteria, working efficiently until these bacteria are eliminated.
“This virus remains stable and effective even in hot temperatures, across a wide pH range, and doesn’t require refrigeration,” Adeyemi explained. “That makes it ideal for use in Nigeria’s open-air markets, slaughterhouses, and popular local eateries. Plus, because it’s effective at very low doses, it has the potential to be affordable on a large scale.”
Stressing that food poisoning is a “silent health crisis,” Adeyemi warned that millions of Nigerians face daily risks from contaminated meals purchased from markets, roadside food sellers, and even at home. Children under five, he emphasized, face the highest threat.
Backed by research, Adeyemi pointed to examples where poultry in Ibadan tested positive for E. coli and Salmonella because of cross-contamination, and documented outbreaks of Shigella due to poor hygiene among food vendors in Nigeria.
Recent World Health Organisation (WHO) data paints a dire picture: each year, more than 91 million Africans fall ill from unsafe food, resulting in 137,000 deaths. Children under five make up almost a third of those fatalities. Nigeria, with its booming population and swift urban development, carries a large share of this burden, Adeyemi noted.
Despite various government training programs and inspections, Adeyemi believes that poor enforcement undermines their effectiveness. “Many food handlers still lack proper training, bleach washes often fall short, and misuse of farm chemicals only strengthens bacterial resistance. We can’t continue with half-measures,” he asserted.
He highlighted that phage solutions should be used to support—not substitute for—hygiene practices. He also stressed the need to educate the public on preventive habits like regular handwashing, cooking meat thoroughly, and avoiding storing cooked food for long periods.
Adeyemi concluded with a call to action: Nigeria could lead Africa in rolling out phage technology, but must act quickly. “This is not just about lab science—it’s about making safe, affordable tools available wherever Nigerians eat, from market stalls to local canteens. If we start now, we can save lives and protect our future,” he said.
