The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has reason to take note of a quiet but significant development within its Department of Crop Science, after one of its doctoral students published two separate research works in internationally recognised scientific journals, without being required to do so at either level of study.
Gever Esther Rita, who studies Crop Science at UNN, published her undergraduate project in 2023 and her Master's thesis in February 2026, both in journals recognised by Scopus and Web of Science, two of the most widely used databases for verifying the quality of academic research worldwide.
Her undergraduate project examined whether oils from neem and palm kernel could eliminate the bean weevil. Her Master's thesis explored whether powders from moringa and neem leaves could achieve the same result.
Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cowpea, yet post harvest losses from pest damage continue to affect farmers across the country. Research into natural, chemical free solutions to this problem has direct implications for food security and agricultural productivity.
For UNN, the publications add to a growing body of evidence that the institution is producing researchers capable of meeting international standards. For Nigerian students more broadly, the case challenges a deeply ingrained habit of treating final year projects and postgraduate theses as administrative requirements rather than genuine contributions to knowledge.
Notable credits were extended to her undergraduate supervisor, Professor Bonaventure C. Echezona, and her Master's supervisors, Professor Simon C. Eze and Dr. Modesta Ngozi Chukwulobe.
