Camillus MBAOJI, is a distinguished research fellow who holds graduate certificates from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, University of Lagos, Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine and Hebrew University respectively. He is a distinguished researcher and a renowned Microbiologist, Intellectual Property, Community Development expert. His research interest is in the areas of natural product development, bioresources development and conservation, antimicrobial resistance, systematic studies, community development advocate, amongst others.
He is currently a staff of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency [NNMDA] Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in the Bioresources Development and Documentation Department. He played key role in the establishment and development of the Medicinal Plants Herbarium of Nigeria. One of the only Focal Reference Centre for Research and Development on Medicinal, Aromatic and Pesticidal Plants [MAPPs] biodiversity and ecological studies in Nigeria; and the establishment of Nigeria’s first Model Medicinal Plants Research Farms.
He deployed his vast wealth of experience in the planning and execution Ethnobotanical, Ethnoveterinary Surveys, Inventory and Documentation of MAPPs across the rich, diversified and tough ecological belts in Nigeria covering vast landscape (high-mountainous multi-tiered tropical forests through banks of the lower River Niger, valleys of the River Cross; Guinean high-grass savanna areas; North of the zone of the Guinea savanna; the Sahel savanna desert vegetation; the montane and mangrove vegetations) in the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. He led wonderful team of researchers in Nigeria to criss-cross these ecological belts in different communities and tribes between 2008 – 2023 to document almost 4000 MAPPs which are potential candidates for phytomedicines and natural product development.
To enhance sustainable biodiversity and quality yield of medicinal plant raw materials, his team deployed their strategic community engagement skill to train many community stakeholders in various parts of Nigeria on standards and sustainable practices for cultivation, harvesting and conservation of MAPPs.
Camillus Mbaoji also played critical roles in two international funded projects by the UNESCO and UNIDO. These include the UNESCO Project 2009 -2012 on biodiversity study, inventory and documentation of the Sukur World Heritage Site. This project brought to the fore the alarming rapid loss of our endemic genetic flora and fauna resources, leading critical mass into threat of extinction around the stretch of Mandara Mountains of Madagali and surrounding communities in Adamawa State. He also participated actively in the UNIDO Assessment and Regeneration Project of Niger Delta Mangrove Biome and coastlines being ravaged by oil exploration activities sponsored between 2006 – 2007. The team in response to the huge environmental degradation of the coastlines from Ondo through Delta, Bayelsa and River States, made far-reaching and sustainable mangrove coastlines restoration recommendations.
He is involved in a global Antimicrobial Stewardship Project that is focusing on development and sustainable use of natural products to stern antimicrobial resistance. At NNMDA, he has carried out observational studies of Agency herbal medicines, very active researcher in the screenings, isolation and formulation lead compounds for phytomedicine product development. At NNMDA, he is a very active researcher in the laboratory screenings of MAPPs for lead compounds for phytomedicine product development.
Also to deepen knowledge and capacity in traditional medicine product evidence-based research, has has participated in clinical trials capacity development programmes. At NNMDA, he has carried out observational studies of Agency herbal medicines, very active researcher in the screenings, isolation and formulation lead compounds for phytomedicine product development.
Realising the critical and central role of Intellectual Property in indigenous healthcare systems, biodiversity exploitation, natural product development and innovation; Mbaoji embarked on intellectual property rights studies from the World intellectual Property Organization Academy where he obtained certificates in advanced course on Biotechnology and Intellectual Property in 2012; Promoting Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation – Intersection Between Public Health, Intellectual Property and Trade in 2017; and Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Expression in 2019.
Camillus served as chairman of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit [ACTU] of NNMDA between 2017 – 2023. He attended several anti-corruption trainings and holds certificate in Corruption Risk Management, Ethics and Integrity Compliance and Measures for Controlling Workplace Corruption. Mbaoji has extensive experience in risk management, ethics and integrity compliance strategies. Under his leadership as ACTU Chairman, the NNMDA recorded impressive ethics, integrity and good management system and was rated very high.
To further his interest in Traditional Medicine Development and Documentation, he proceeded to Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine [KIOM] in Daejon, South Korea and obtained certificate on Modernization of Traditional Medicine System in 2010. To assist him improve knowledge and capacity of his core research areas, he also in 2015 obtained postgraduate certificate in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from Hebrew University Jerusalem.
Camillus co-authored 13 book series, including the Medicinal Plants of Nigeria Volumes I and II, the Biodiversity of Sukur and Osogbo World Heritage Sites, the Medicinal Plants used in Animal Health amongst others between 2008 to 2021. These research publication series brought to fore the abundance flora heritage of Nigeria from different habitats and offering great research and development opportunities to stakeholders. He has many research publications in peer review journals and conference proceedings.
He served as a member of NNMDA research presentation and coordinated Agency internship programme from 2008 – 2014. He is a member of Research and Development Committee of the NNMDA. He is a number of professional organizations like the Nigeria Society for Microbiology, Nigeria Society of Pharmacognosy, American Society for Microbiology, the Traditional Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Coalition, Association of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Nigeria.