A distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics, Dele Abajingin, has urged governments and key stakeholders to ramp up investment in scientific research and innovative technologies that explore alternative remedies for malaria, Nigeria’s deadliest disease.
He argued that conventional prevention and treatment strategies have not only failed to eliminate malaria but have also contributed to rising drug resistance, persistent anaemia, and other serious complications.
Prof. Abajingin, of the Department of Physics and Electronics, made the call on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, while delivering the 51st Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), titled “A Low-Value Alternating Electromagnetic Field for Malaria Therapy: A New Dance Step to the Same Old Drummer.”
The physicist described malaria as a leading global killer responsible for over one million deaths annually, particularly among children, with more than 300 million acute cases recorded each year. He noted that beyond the familiar symptoms of fever, chills, and headaches, malaria often leads to life-threatening outcomes such as severe anaemia, organ failure, cerebral complications and, if untreated, death.
Explaining the science behind malaria infection, he said the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted through mosquito bites, targets red blood cells by breaking down haemoglobin into hemes and globin. The hemes are further digested into haemozoin, a less toxic compound that enables the parasite to thrive.
Prof. Abajingin disclosed that his study explored the use of oscillating magnetic fields (OMF)—generated using a Helmholtz coil—to reverse the formation of haemozoin back into hemes. The experiments, he said, showed a reduction in parasite density and an increase in red blood cell volume, suggesting the potential of electromagnetic therapy as a breakthrough in malaria treatment.
“In malaria therapy, the focus has always been on creating an environment where haemozoin becomes toxic to the malaria parasite. This can only be achieved if the haemozoin is broken down into hemes. Our findings show that an Oscillating Magnetic Field can make this possible,” he said.
He added that the projected product of the research could be developed into a unisex corporate electronic suit, tagged the “Helmholtz Jacket.”
The professor reiterated that although preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets and pharmaceutical drugs exist, the increasing adulteration of drugs has worsened resistance in malaria parasites, making treatments less effective. This, he stressed, underscores the urgent need for alternative, science-driven solutions such as electromagnetic therapy.
He recommended massive national investment in research, innovation and infrastructure, including modern laboratories, biomedical engineering collaborations, regulatory structures, and technology translation pipelines that move discoveries from research to real-life application.
Prof. Abajingin also emphasised the central role of young Nigerians in shaping the future of malaria response, calling on universities to establish Departments of Applied Electronics to train graduates capable of designing and operating advanced medical and electronic devices.
“Nigeria’s young scientists, technologists, biomedical engineers, innovators and public health professionals must be encouraged to explore interdisciplinary frontiers. Only then can our universities become engines of innovation rather than consumers of foreign technologies,” he said.
Earlier, while presenting the lecturer, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the ceremony, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, described inaugural lectures as platforms for showcasing the enduring contributions of scholars to global knowledge. He commended Prof. Abajingin for his outstanding scholarship and commitment to upholding the university’s academic legacy.
