BAUCHI — A professor of ecology at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof. Ahmed AbdulHameed, has called for urgent biological solutions to Nigeria's environmental problems. Delivering the university's 48th inaugural lecture at the 1,000-seat lecture theatre on the Yelwa campus, he identified population growth, industrialisation, urbanisation, deforestation, fossil fuel use and heavy use of fertilisers and pesticides as drivers of climate change and ecosystem damage. He proposed ecological remedies, including the use of beneficial microorganisms, the development of a microbial farm-input industry, research in ecotoxicology and the restoration of damaged ecosystems. He outlined plans for a microbial agro-input factory and a Centre of Excellence in Ecological Restoration. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, said professors now apply to deliver inaugural lectures rather than waiting their turn by seniority, but noted that uptake has been poor. He asked the ceremonies committee to invite professionals from outside academia to deliver public lectures.