The President of the Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN), Professor Alexander Bababunmi Odaibo, has emphasized that healthy ecosystems remain central to Nigeria’s productivity, environmental resilience, and long-term sustainability, urging policymakers, captains of industry, researchers, and other stakeholders to prioritize ecological health in national planning and development strategies.

Prof. Odaibo made this known on Friday, November 26, 2025, while delivering his welcome address at the Opening Ceremony of the 18th Annual Conference of the Zoological Society of Nigeria, held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan. The 2025 conference is themed “Healthy Ecosystems: Path to Productivity and Sustainability.”

Welcoming participants to the premier university, the ZSN President highlighted the institution’s longstanding relationship with the society, noting that this marks the fourth time the University of Ibadan will host the ZSN conference.

“Our first time in this premier university was in 2003, when we held our maiden annual conference as a young society founded in 2002. That conference was a huge success, laying a solid foundation for subsequent gatherings,” he recounted.

Prof. Odaibo expressed profound appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the Head of the Department of Zoology and Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Professor Aina O. Adeogun, as well as faculty and students of the department for accepting to host the event once again.

He commended the conference management and LOC for what he described as a “yeoman’s job”, especially for reinventing the structure of scientific meetings by introducing a hybrid format to enhance accessibility and inclusiveness.

“With the effort of the LOC, we were able to conduct a pre-conference workshop aimed at helping budding zoologists improve work efficiency, productivity, and academic visibility,” he added.

Addressing participants including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and students, Prof. Odaibo stressed the urgency of the conference theme in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges and the global climate crisis.

“The theme of this conference has significant relevance to the trying times in our nation and to the global climate change concern. We hope that the plenary sessions and technical presentations will inform better and more productive future practices,” he said.

The ZSN President also announced that the society would be honouring distinguished members with its prestigious Fellowship Award, the highest recognition bestowed on individuals whose contributions to zoology and science have been exceptional.

“On behalf of the ZSN Council, I congratulate all our awardees on their well-deserved honour,” he stated.

Prof. Odaibo concluded by wishing all participants a meaningful engagement throughout the conference. “I welcome you all once again and wish you a very fruitful conference with exciting and stimulating discussions," he said.