The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has described the newly launched E-AquaHealth digital platform as a major step toward translating academic research into practical solutions for Nigeria’s aquaculture sector.
Olayinka spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday while chairing the official launch of E-AquaHealth, a digital innovation developed to improve fish health management and strengthen collaboration between fish farmers and veterinary experts.
He said the initiative was a good example of research commercialisation, which converts academic knowledge and laboratory breakthroughs into market-ready products capable of generating economic value and societal impact.
According to him, universities must ensure that research outcomes contribute directly to national development through innovation, partnerships and technology transfer.
“Research commercialisation acts as a bridge between research institutions and industry, driving innovation through licensing, spin-offs and collaborations.
“We are glad that this innovation is providing practical solutions to support sustainable aquaculture development in Nigeria,” he said.
Olayinka noted that the platform would help link aquaculture practitioners with experts in universities and other institutions, thereby improving fish production and public health through safer fish consumption.
He noted that the digital solution would enable farmers across the aquaculture value chain to access professional guidance using smartphones and internet-enabled services.
The former vice-chancellor also urged stakeholders in the aquaculture sector to collaborate with the promoters of the platform to ensure its sustainability and impact.
He subsequently declared the E-AquaHealth brand officially launched.
Earlier, the Co-founder of Smart AquaHealth Solutions Ltd., Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, said the innovation emerged from a research project implemented during the COVID-19 period.
Adeyemo stated that the initiative was developed to address critical gaps in Nigeria’s aquaculture industry, particularly in aquatic animal health management, access to veterinary services and supply of production inputs.
She said the platform had been optimised since its initial introduction in 2023 and commercialised under Smart AquaHealth Solutions Ltd.
According to her, E-AquaHealth integrates several digital components designed to strengthen the aquaculture ecosystem.
“These include diagnostic and health advisory services that enable farmers to digitally report disease outbreaks and access veterinarians and laboratory diagnostic services.
“It also provides extension services through online resources such as podcasts, webinars and training programmes for animal health professionals,” she said.
Adeyemo added that the platform also features a digital marketplace connecting verified vendors, laboratories, processors and other service providers within the aquaculture value chain.
She said the company aimed to become a leading technology-enabled aqua-health provider and marketplace within the next two years.
According to her, the goal is to improve aquaculture productivity, strengthen biosecurity and disease management, and promote sustainable aquaculture in Nigeria.
“So with aquaculture, there’s a lot of gap in access to so many things for them and this includes veterinary services, market and even government oversight.
“Therefore, the solution is not only to support sustainable production but to ensure that even the fish we are getting are of good quality.
“This is because food security and food safety are two different things. You can have food security and then what you are getting is not safe,” Adeyemo said.
Some stakeholders at the event including the Director-General DAWN Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye; Head BDG Southwest NIRSAL, Mr Akinola Baiyewu; and Dean Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UI, Prof. Babasola Olusaga commended the initiative.
