TITLE (PROF/DR/): PROFESSOR

NAME: MATTHEW OLUSOJI ILORI

POSITION: PROFESSOR SPECIALISATION: Environmental Microbiology & Microbial Biotechnology

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with Bachelor’s degree or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.)

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION	DEGREE (if applicable)	Completion Date MM/YYYY	FIELD OF STUDY
University of Lagos- Akoka, Lagos Nigeria	B.Sc.	06/1984	Biology
University of Lagos- Akoka, Lagos Nigeria	M.Phil.	1/1991	Microbiology
University of Lagos- Akoka, Lagos Nigeria	Ph.D.	11/1998	Microbiology

Personal Statement

My research focus is on the microbial degradation of recalcitrant environmental pollutants, including crude oil, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. I have also worked extensively on heavy metal biodetoxification, biodecommissioning of PCB contaminated soils; pesticides biodegradation; metagenomic profiling of bacterial communities from polluted soils; molecular characterization of microbes and their spoilage risks to museum books and artifacts; bacterial bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals, organic acids & biofuel; whole genome sequencing and DNA annotation of PCB degrading bacteria; mobilization & expression of catabolic plasmids in heterologous hosts and textile dyestuff removal by micro-algal species. Over the years, my work has contributed prominently to cleaner environments through smart, efficient and robust waste management systems that have promoted the formulation of policies and practices which aligns with different global sustainable development goals.

I am a recipient of many awards, research grants and honours some of which include UNESCO Fellowship in Biotechnology, Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Fellowship, Royal Society Fellowship, Fulbright African Research Scholar Fellowship, and DAAD International Deans’ Course Fellowship. I have contributed a tangible quota to empowering young scientists many of who have successfully carved out their own niches in various global settings. My current multidisciplinary research goal is in development of models of Rhizospheric bacterial biofertilisers that solubilize phosphate rock, trap atmospheric nitrogen, sequester toxic heavy metals, produce plant growth hormones and consume recalcitrant hydrocarbon pollutants. My goal is the scalability of the research products in an affordable manner across the farming communities. This is geared towards addressing the global food production challenges. I ultimately look towards using my research to address youth unemployment, poverty reduction and cleaner and sustainable environment.

Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honours

2023 – Date: Director, Academic Planning, University of Lagos

2022 – Date: University of Lagos Governing Council

2019 – 2023: Director, Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), University of Lagos

2012 – 2016: Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos

2011 – 2012: Head, Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos

2010- 2012: Director, Centre for General Studies, University of Lagos

2010- 2012: Hall Master, Prof. Saburi Biobaku Hall, University of Lagos

 Selected Most Recent Publications/Contributions to Knowledge .

1. Momoh-Salami, T. M., Akinyemi, N. M., Oyetibo, G. O., Ajiboye, G. A., Adams, L. A., Ogunkanmi, L. A, and Ilori, M. O. (2025). Ecological biogeography of maize rhizosphere underpins spatial variation of bacteriome and phylotypes for maize productivity, Applied Soil Ecology,206 doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2025.105889
2. Momoh-Salami, T. M., Akinyemi, N. M., Oyetibo, G. O., Ajiboye, G. A., Adams, L. A., Ogunkanmi, L. A, and Ilori, M. O. (2024). Bioremediation and Growth Promoting Effects of Identified

Bacteria from Different Soil Locations in Nigeria. Ife Journal of Science vol. 26, no. 3

1. Ogunyemi, A. K., Buraimoh, O. M., Dauda, W. P., Akapo, O. O., Ogunyemi, B. C., Samuel, T. A., Ilori, M. O. and Amund, O. O. (2024). Unveiling genome sequence of Bacillus safensisstrain WOB7KX774196, a linamarin-utilizing bacterium (LUB) isolated from cassava wastewater (CWW) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Microbiology Resource Announcement. 10.1128/mra.00247-24/1-4.
2. Ogunyemi, A. K., Buraimoh, O. M., Dauda, W. P., Akapo, O. O., Ogunyemi, B. C., Samuel, T. A., Ilori, M. O. and Amund, O. O. (2024). Draft genome sequence of Bacillus safensisstrain WOIS2KX774194, a nitrile-metabolizing bacterium isolated from solid waste leachates at Olusosun dumpsite, Ojota, Lagos State, Nigeria. Microbiology Resource Announcement.
   10.1128/mra.00119-24/1-4.
3. U. Rashid Sumaila, Lubna Alam, Patrizia R. Abdallah, Denis Aheto, Shehu L. Akintola, Justin Alger, Vania Andreoli, Megan Bailey, Colin Barnes, Abdulrahman Ben-Hasan, Cassandra M. Brooks, Adriana R. Carvalho, William W. L. Cheung, Andrés M. Cisneros-Montemayor, Jessica Dempsey, Sharina A. Halim, Nathalie Hilmi, Matthew O. Ilori, Jennifer Jacquet,Selma T. Karuaihe, Philippe Le Billon, James Leape, Tara G. Martin, Jessica J. Meeuwig, Fiorenza Micheli, Mazlin Mokhtar, Rosamond L. Naylor, David Obura, Maria L. D. Palomares, Laura M. Pereira, Abbie A. Rogers, Ana M. M. Sequeira, Temitope O. Sogbanmu, Sebastian Villasante, Dirk Zeller and Daniel Pauly (2024). WTO Must Complete An Ambitious Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. npj-Ocean Sustainability. 2024)3:6; https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00042-0.
4. Collaborators/ Networks (International inclusive

• DrGary  Robinson,  Department of Biosciences,  University of  Kent,  Canterbury CT2  7NJ, United Kingdom.
• Ingulf Schuphan, Biologie V, RWTH-Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
• ProfMike Benedik, Texas A&M University, College Station, Department of Biology, Texas, U