OHRECA fellows reach the finals of the 2024 Transformative Research Challenge with innovative proposal on wild meat

Graduate fellow Sherril Phyllis Masudi and postdoctoral scientist Nicholas Ngwili from the One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA) were among the finalists at the 2024 World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge, alongside Samuel Akpan, a fellow with the Institute of Genomics and Global Health.

OHRECA is hosted at the Nairobi campus of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The trio presented their research proposal, Applying community and gender inclusive One Health approaches for safer and more sustainable wild meat use in Lagos, Nigeria, in the Global One Health category at the World Food Forum on 15-16 October in Rome.

The proposal aims to reshape the conversation around wild meat, proposing inclusive, locally driven solutions that prioritize both health and sustainability. It brings a new perspective to food security, conservation and public health.

'Our approach aims to address the public health, food security and conservation challenges of wild meat consumption in Lagos. It's a more sustainable alternative to restrictive bans, which often drive illegal trade and threaten community welfare,' said Masudi, the team lead.

Wild meat, including antelopes, pangolins, porcupines and primates, are a popular delicacy among Lagos's population of more than 16 million.

However, the consumption of these animals poses significant risks, including the decline of vulnerable species and the likelihood of spreading zoonoses.

Using a seed grant from the World Food Forum, the team will pilot co-created community interventions to ensure that wild meat remains a safe, accessible resource for communities that rely on it.

Through this project, we'll work closely with communities to co-design practical solutions that balance food security with safety and conservation,' Akpan shared. 'The aim is to create good, healthy wild meat systems today and for the future.'

Transforming agrifood systems

The World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge aims to inspire research and innovation in sustainable development to end hunger and transform agrifood systems.

Teams of young and young-at-heart researchers are invited to submit a two-page concept note proposing an innovative research idea to help end hunger and transform our agrifood systems.

Shortlisted participants receive expert mentorship to help translate their concepts into sound research papers and present them at the World Food Forum global stage each October.

Sherril Phyllis Masudi, finalist at the 2024 World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge (photo credit: ILRI).

Header photo: Wild meat on sale at the weekly market of Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo (credit: Axel Fassio/CIFOR-ICRAF)

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