Chibuzo Onah studied pharmacy at the University of Nigeria and currently works with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals as a territory sales manager. As a researcher interested in natural product pharmacology and public health, he was recently involved in a published research work aimed at studying plant extracts capable of suppressing Trypanosoma brucei brucei in both laboratory and animal models. In this interview by ANITA IBEACHU, he speaks about the significance of his work and scientific journey, and how his foundation in natural product pharmacology is shaping his vision for future contributions to healthcare innovation and pharmaceutical development.

What inspired you to study pharmacy, and what was your experience studying at the University of Nigeria?

My decision to study pharmacy was inspired by a profound desire to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. Growing up in a region where preventable and neglected diseases were common, I saw firsthand how limited access to effective therapies could devastate families and entire communities. These experiences sparked a deep curiosity about how medicines are developed, how they work, and how scientific innovation can expand access to life-saving treatments.

Pharmacy, to me, was not just a profession but a platform to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and public health impact. Studying at the University of Nigeria elevated this passion into a defined scientific mission. The institution’s rigorous pharmaceutical sciences curriculum pushed me to think critically, investigate complex disease mechanisms, and understand therapeutics from both clinical and research perspectives. I learned to pursue evidence-based solutions to some of the most pressing healthcare challenges affecting Africa and the global community.

In 2022, you co-authored a scholarly publication titled ‘Sesquiterpene lactone-rich extract of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray (Asteraceae) suppresses Trypanosoma brucei brucei in both in vivo and in vitro experimental models’. What inspired this publication, and what does it set out to address?

The inspiration for this publication came from a long-standing concern about the devastating impact of African animal trypanosomiasis on communities across sub-Saharan Africa. As a pharmacy scholar, deeply interested in natural product pharmacology and public health, I had seen the economic and social burden this disease places on smallholder farmers, lost livestock, reduced productivity, and cycles of poverty that persist for generations. At the same time, the limited effectiveness, high cost, and increasing resistance associated with existing trypanocidal drugs highlighted an urgent need for new, accessible therapeutic alternatives.

My team and I wanted to explore whether a widely available medicinal plant, Tithonia diversifolia, could offer a viable alternative. Our study set out to fill a critical gap by scientifically validating the plant’s traditional uses and assessing its ability to suppress Trypanosoma brucei brucei in both laboratory and animal models. The goal was simple yet impactful — to identify a plant-based therapeutic candidate that is both effective and accessible to the communities most affected.

This scholarly publication ultimately reflects my broader commitment to leveraging natural products and evidence-based research to address neglected diseases and improve public health outcomes.

Why should farm-animal breeders be interested in the findings of this research? And how easily can the findings of the study be made available and understandable to them for implementation?

Livestock trypanosomiasis costs Africa billions in lost productivity each year. We wanted to investigate whether locally available medicinal plants held untapped therapeutic value, and the evidence was even more promising than we expected.

Farm-animal breeders should be interested in this research because it offers a potential breakthrough against one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. African animal trypanosomiasis leads to severe weight loss, reduced milk production, infertility, and high mortality in cattle and other farm animals, directly affecting breeders’ livelihoods.

Our findings show that Tithonia diversifolia, a plant that grows abundantly across tropical regions, contains compounds capable of suppressing Trypanosoma brucei brucei. This opens the door to developing safer, more affordable, and locally sourced treatments that could significantly reduce losses and improve herd productivity.

The findings can also be made accessible and understandable to breeders with relative ease. Because the plant is already familiar in many communities, the concept of using it for animal health is not foreign. Through simplified extension materials, such as community training sessions, leaflets in local languages, farmer radio programmes, and demonstrations conducted by agricultural extension workers, the scientific insights can be translated into practical guidance. As further research refines dosage, formulation, and safety standards, these insights can be packaged into straightforward protocols that breeders can adopt without needing specialised scientific knowledge.

In essence, the research holds real promise for delivering community-friendly, cost-effective solutions to a long-standing livestock health challenge — and, with the right outreach, breeders can quickly understand and implement the benefits.

How does this kind of research contribute to public health and guide future involvement in healthcare innovation or pharmaceutical development?

This research contributes to public health by identifying a potential low-cost, plant-based therapy for a neglected disease that undermines food security, household income, and community wellbeing. By demonstrating that Tithonia diversifolia contains bioactive compounds capable of suppressing trypanosome parasites, the study expands the pipeline for new therapeutic candidates, especially for regions where conventional drugs are expensive or increasingly ineffective.

It also guides future involvement in healthcare innovation and pharmaceutical development by showing how traditional medicinal knowledge can inspire modern drug discovery. The approach used in this research, combining natural products, laboratory validation, and public-health relevance, lays the foundation for developing safer, more accessible treatments and encourages further exploration of indigenous plants as sources of new medicines.

Ultimately, it reinforces a long-term commitment to creating innovative, evidence-based solutions that address unmet medical needs in underserved populations.

One Health is a concept that is making waves in animal-plant-environmental studies and research. What is the relevance of this research to the One Health ecosystem of Nigeria, especially where farm animals are reared?

This research is highly relevant to Nigeria’s One Health ecosystem because it addresses a disease that sits at the intersection of animal health, environmental sustainability, and human well-being. African animal trypanosomiasis not only affects livestock, but it also undermines food security, reduces farm income, and places a significant strain on rural communities. By identifying a plant-based therapeutic candidate from Tithonia diversifolia, a species that grows naturally across Nigeria, the study promotes solutions that are environmentally sustainable, locally accessible, and culturally familiar.

In regions where farm animals are reared, the findings support a One Health approach by showing how the environment, animal health, and community livelihoods are interconnected. A safer, plant-derived treatment could reduce reliance on synthetic drugs, limit drug resistance, preserve ecosystem balance, and improve productivity for smallholder farmers.

Ultimately, the research aligns with Nigeria’s broader One Health goals: leveraging natural resources to strengthen animal health systems, enhance food security, and improve community resilience.

How would you advise the government and stakeholders in livestock production on how to ensure livestock are treated well for safe consumption and the sustainability of the environment and public health?

I would advise the government and stakeholders to adopt a comprehensive, One Health–aligned strategy that strengthens livestock welfare, protects the environment, and ensures safe food production.

First, there should be stronger surveillance and early detection systems for livestock diseases, paired with accessible, science-based treatment options, including validated plant-derived therapies that are affordable for rural farmers. This reduces disease transmission, improves productivity, and limits reliance on toxic or misused pharmaceuticals.

Second, it is essential to invest in farmer education and extension services. When breeders understand proper animal handling, vaccination schedules, parasite control, and biosecurity practices, they are better equipped to raise healthy animals that enter the food chain safely. Clear guidance in local languages, regular field demonstrations, and community-based health workers can help bridge the knowledge gap.

Third, environmental sustainability must be part of livestock policy. Encouraging responsible grazing, promoting native medicinal plants, and reducing drug overuse all help maintain ecological balance and prevent antimicrobial resistance, an emerging global health threat.

Finally, collaboration is key. Government agencies, veterinary experts, agricultural universities, and community groups should work together to develop policies that integrate animal health, environmental protection, and food safety.

This holistic approach ensures healthier livestock, safer consumption for citizens, and long-term public-health resilience.

Have you thought of going for a postgraduate degree? What course would you like to study, and where would you like to study it?

Yes. I have been seriously considering a postgraduate degree. Working at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals has shown me how deeply business strategy, market access, and healthcare innovation shape patient outcomes. While my pharmacy background and field experience have given me strong scientific and clinical insight, I increasingly see the need for advanced training in leadership and healthcare systems if I want to make a broader public-health impact.

For that reason, I am exploring a Master of Business Administration (MBA), preferably in the United States, with a focus on healthcare management or business analytics. This degree would equip me to bridge science and business more effectively, helping me design strategies that improve access to medicines, strengthen health systems, and support sustainable public-health initiatives both in Nigeria and globally.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I envision myself stepping into a strategic leadership role within the healthcare or pharmaceutical sector, driving innovations that expand treatment access, support evidence-based decision-making, and improve healthcare delivery in underserved populations.

Ultimately, I want to use the combination of my pharmacy training, industry experience, and MBA education to influence positive change at the intersection of medicine, public health, and healthcare business strategy.