The Nigerian Society for Microbiology (NSM) has appointed Professor Nedie Patience Akani of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, as the Coordinator of its South-South Zonal Chapter.
The appointment was contained in a letter dated January 28, 2026, signed by the President of the Society, Professor S. A. Ado. It is for a two-year tenure, renewable for another two years.
Professor Akani, a seasoned microbiologist with over four decades of academic and research experience, will oversee the Society’s programmes and activities in the South-South zone, with a focus on strengthening microbiology research, education and professional collaboration.
Speaking on the appointment, Professor Akani expressed appreciation to the Society for the honour and pledged her commitment to advancing the objectives of the Society in the region.
“I am honoured to serve the Society and contribute to the advancement of microbiology in the South-South region. I look forward to working closely with members, stakeholders and partners to promote microbiological research, education and outreach,” she stated.
Founded in 1972, the Nigerian Society for Microbiology is the umbrella body for microbiologists in Nigeria, with a membership strength of over 5,000. The Society promotes research and innovation in microbiology with applications in health, agriculture, industry and environmental sustainability.
Akani is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Public Health and a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University. She holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Port Harcourt, an MPhil in Applied Microbiology, and a PhD in Environmental Biology from Rivers State University.
She joined the academic staff of Rivers State University in 1991, rose to the rank of Professor in 2022, and served as Head of the Department of Microbiology from 2020 to 2022. She has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students and has over 100 scholarly publications in reputable journals.
Her research interests include Public Health Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance.
Professor Akani has supervised over 100 undergraduate projects, 13 PhD, 25 MSc, and three PGD students, underscoring her commitment to mentorship and capacity building.
She has served as an external examiner to several universities, including the University of Port Harcourt, Niger Delta University and University of Africa, Toru-Orua, and was a Visiting Professor at the Federal University Otuoke between 2024 and 2025.
Her professional recognitions include being a Fellow of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), where she served as President from 2021 to 2024. She is also a member of several national and international professional bodies, including the American Society for Microbiology and the Nigerian Society for Microbiology.
A seasoned researcher, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has presented papers at numerous local and international conferences.
Her research interests span Public Health Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Ecotoxicology, with strong interdisciplinary collaborations in Epidemiology and Clinical Medicine.
Beyond academia, Professor Akani is known for her love for singing, reading and faith-based service. She is married to Dr. Alexander Bekweri Akani, and the union is blessed with four children
