Ibrahim Umar, a 300-level Biology Education student from Federal University Gusau, recently joined 20 peers from seven northern Nigerian universities for the Droso4Nigeria workshop, a transformative three-day training held at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria from November 6–8, 2023. This intensive workshop, hosted by Droso4Nigeria—a non-profit based at ABU—focuses on using Drosophila (fruit flies) as innovative learning tools, aiming to reshape biology education across Nigeria. The program brought together students from institutions such as Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Gombe State University, and the University of Maiduguri, equipping them with hands-on skills to make biology more engaging.

Founded in 2018, Droso4Nigeria arose from the persistent challenges identified in Nigerian biology education, including limited resources, complex topics, and minimal practical exposure. Co-founder and Director of Outreach Dr. Rashidatu Abdulazeez explained that during her postgraduate research in 2014, she noticed that these issues were linked to students’ difficulties grasping abstract biology concepts. After training in Uganda, she and her team saw Drosophila’s potential as a cost-effective model for teaching complex biological concepts, which would help address Nigerian schools’ limited access to laboratory resources.

Since its founding, Droso4Nigeria has impacted over 430 students and teachers across Nigeria. The 2023 workshop’s theme, “Enhancing Biology Education in Nigeria: Use of Drosophila as an Effective Teaching and Learning Aid,” provided intensive instruction on activity-based teaching, bio-entrepreneurship, and visual-based learning. Students learned how to prepare baits for Drosophila collection, use PowerPoint for effective presentations, and employ simulations, charts, and animations to make biology accessible and interactive. Umar shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I realized that learning biology can be engaging, and with the right tools and teaching methods, students can grasp abstract concepts better.”

For some students, the workshop’s impact was profound. ABU student Idris Alimat Sadiat, for instance, shared that the workshop introduced her to Drosophila dissection, inspiring her to pursue a teaching career with the passion to innovate and engage students actively. The workshop also included training in bio-entrepreneurship, teaching students how to leverage biological knowledge to create income-generating opportunities—a skill that Muhammad Salisu, a participant from Federal University Dutse, found invaluable.

Beyond skill acquisition, Droso4Nigeria emphasizes community empowerment and local resource-building to strengthen Nigeria’s educational landscape. Participants are encouraged to apply their learning not only in classrooms but in practical, community-oriented initiatives. Dr. Rashidatu noted the support from organizations like CAMRET-UDUS and BioRTC, which contributed to the workshop’s success by enhancing local engagement and awareness.

Despite these successes, funding remains a persistent challenge. Dr. Rashidatu called on Nigerians to support Droso4Nigeria’s mission, which conducts workshops three times annually across various audiences, helping to improve education nationwide. Droso4Nigeria’s outreach, she emphasized, “aims to inspire our trainees to become ambassadors for innovative biology education in their local communities,” appealing for small contributions, such as ₦1,500 for hand lenses, to sustain their impact.

Droso4Nigeria continues to forge a path for innovative biology education in Nigeria, and its trainees are envisioned to champion this transformation, fostering an environment of curiosity, practical skill, and community engagement.