Over the past few decades, major advances in the field of molecular biology, coupled with advances in genomic technologies, have led to an explosive growth in the biological data generated by the scientific community. The critical need to process and analyze such a deluge of data and turn it into useful knowledge has caused bioinformatics to gain prominence and importance. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research area that applies techniques, methodologies, and tools in computer and information science to solve biological problems. In Nigeria, bioinformatics has recently played a vital role in the advancement of biological sciences. As a developing country, the importance of bioinformatics is rapidly gaining acceptance, and bioinformatics groups comprised of biologists, computer scientists, and computer engineers are being constituted at Nigerian universities and research institutes. In this article, we present an overview of bioinformatics education and research in Nigeria. We also discuss professional societies and academic and research institutions that play central roles in advancing the discipline in Nigeria. Finally, we propose strategies that can bolster bioinformatics education and support from policy makers in Nigeria, with potential positive implications for other developing countries.

Centre for Molecular Biosciences University of Ulster Coleraine United Kingdom; Chevron Biotechnology Centre Federal University of Technology Yola Nigeria

Computational and Evolutionary Biology Bioinformatics Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester Manchester United Kingdom; Microbiology Unit Department of Biological Sciences Nasarawa State University Keffi Nigeria

Department of Biochemistry University of Ilorin Ilorin Nigeria

Department of Computer and Information Sciences Covenant University Ota Nigeria; H3ABioNet Node Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Ota Nigeria

H3Africa Bioinformatics Network Abuja Nigeria

H3Africa Bioinformatics Network Abuja Nigeria; Human Genetics Department Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Cambridge United Kingdom; International Health Research Group Department of Public Health and Primary Care University of Cambridge Cambridge United Kingdom

University of Hradec Kralove Kralove Czech Republic

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