The Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Prof. Bashiru Ademola, on Monday said the institution would tap from the resources available in the nation’s forests for pharmaceutical purposes.

Ademola said this while briefing reporters on the activities to mark the third edition of the university’s convocation.

He said the university recognised the indispensability of natural forest as potential sources of novel pharmaceutical compounds in the country.

He said, “We are exploring the United Nations Heritage Site, the Osun groove as potential sources of novel pharmaceutical compounds in Nigeria.”

Ademola said the proximity of the university to the Osun Osogbo groove would boost the institution’s efforts in bio-technology research.

He added, “Our university is giving cognisance to natural forests.

“Our research activities will definitely become a phenomenal achievement for research and development in Nigeria and place the Fountain University in the hall of fame of universities with patents,’’ he said.

Ademola added that the gap between the demand and supply in the higher education sub-sector was responsible for the exodus of Nigerian students to foreign universities.

He urged the Federal Government to do more in the funding and welfare of workers in order to reduce industrial action in tertiary institutions and improve academic performance.