An eye-opening experience in Nigeria

15 December 2016

In the final week of November, analytical chemists from across Nigeria, as well as Cameroon and Sudan, gathered at the University of Lagos for the final one of our four GC-MS training workshops that have taken place across sub-Saharan Africa this year.

The 20 delegates were chosen from 200 applicants, and were trained by local trainers Toyin and Bola, as well as representatives from GSK and the PACN.

Three of the delegates spoke to us about their experience:

Picture: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Stephen Agwuncha – IBB University

As the only chemist in the environmental pesticide pollution research group of my institution, it is my responsibility to design and carry out the chemical analysis of all the samples. This involves sample preparation and analysis using GC-MS. Therefore, I was a bit worried about improving my skills and knowledge on GC-MS.

When I applied for the RSC–GSK GC-MS workshop, I prayed seriously that I should be among the selected few. When the letter of acceptance came indicating that I was among the few actually selected, I was more than happy. In fact, it was like I had won the jackpot.

The workshop was everything I expected from it. The most exciting part of the training to me was the practical section that demonstrated the general maintenance of the GC and MS instruments. It was so practical that I felt like an expert immediately.

Stephen (centre) during one of the classroom sessions Picture: © Royal Society of Chemistry

This training will definitely help my current research work. Rather than sending out my samples for analysis, I will take charge and full responsibility from the sample extraction, clean up and GC-MS analysis and the final result interpretation. The workshop will help reduce the cost of my present research and even future ones.

The experience at the workshop was great and overwhelming. The opportunity of meeting other researchers like myself and establishing contacts for future collaboration, gave the workshop another colour.

I really appreciate RSC and GSK for the wonderful opportunity provided for young and upcoming scientists in Africa and especially in Nigeria.

I am already planning a refresher training workshop on GC analysis for some of my colleagues at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, for those who cannot wait for the next RSC–GSK workshop.

Justine Nzweundji – Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies

Attending this course was a privilege for me. This workshop helped me acquire knowledge on GC-MS, and equipped me in building and strengthening my knowledge on identification and isolation of actives components of medicinal plants.

I am happy I have attended this workshop program; it far exceeded my expectations and I will greatly recommend the workshop to my colleagues and my entire network.

Nnamdi Menkiti – University of Lagos

I applied to attend the GC-MS workshop because the training would help me understand that part of my PhD thesis regarding interpretation of GC-MS spectra. I was very excited as I knew selection would be very competitive considering the number of people looking forward to the training from my university.

My favourite part of the workshop was the hands-on experience as well as the mechanistic interpretation of mass chromatogram.

My current research involves the use of GC-MS in structural evaluation of natural weathering of crude oil residue. What I have learnt has spurred my interest in more advanced techniques in chromatography.

My experience at the workshop cannot be quantified, especially when there are no organizations offering this type of service in Nigeria. I am so glad that I attended.