A remarkable scientific development is emerging from Nigeria-one with the potential to reshape global nutrition strategies.
Ochelle Ohini Paul, a national award-winning scholar who graduated with a historic 5.0/5.0 CGPA in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in 2020, has once again drawn national and international attention.
Now a PhD candidate at the Food Processing Laboratory, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, under the supervision of Professor Sogunle Atanda Kazeem, Ochelle has developed a pioneering formulation of maize ogi (pap) enriched with African yam bean, soybean, and their protein isolates.
This fortified product is scientifically formulated to combat the three critical forms of malnutrition—wasting, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies—making it a promising intervention for low-income communities.
Speaking with Truth Live News International, he stressed that his work is driven by a mission far beyond academia.
“I am building a system that ensures no child or vulnerable community continues to suffer malnutrition—whether in Africa or anywhere in the world.”
He noted that the innovation is connected to a wider ecosystem he is developing.
One component of this ecosystem is an upcoming Nutrition and Malnutrition App, a digital tool capable of identifying nutritional gaps, recommending fortified meals, supporting community health workers, tracking malnutrition cases, providing school-friendly nutrition lessons, and offering personalised dietary guidance through artificial intelligence.
He hope to scale up the production of fortified ogi and expandoutreach to vulnerable communities across Nigeria and beyond. His approach brings together farmers, processors, NGOs, researchers, and government institutions-an integrated model, experts say, could significantly influence future food and health policies in Africa.
A standout moment during his PhD Progress Defence on 20 November 2025 was his presentation of an improved sensory evaluation method. Instead of relying on small traditional panels, he engaged 30 trained panellists, improving the precision and real-world relevance of sensory data. Several academic reviewers described the advancement as “a valuable contribution that could reshape sensory research in food science.”
With over 20 peer-reviewed publications already informing policymakers and nutrition specialists in more than twenty countries, he is fast becoming recognised as one of Africa’s most promising emerging innovators in public health and food systems.
Over the next one year, he intend to carry out grassroots nutrition programs, providing fortified ogi to vulnerable households in various Nigerian communities. In addition, he has proposed the establishment of a National Food Fortification and Nutrition Awareness Day, a policy currently under consideration by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Experts believe that with sufficient support from government and international partners, His work could become one of the most significant nutrition breakthroughs in Africa’s recent history. A new force in global nutrition innovation is rising – led by a young Nigerian dedicated to transforming lives, one fortified meal at a time.
Paul ohini is a great asset to this nation and to the world, his research is a great innovation to the world, please do well to assist him with the necessary resources he needs to do more
If there is a way to solve the ever increasing challenge of malnutrition, then this is an innovation to follow diligently and it ought to be embraced by UNICEF.