Prof. Victor Mela Obinna Okoro

Prof. Victor Mela Obinna Okoro

Professor

FSLC, WAEC (DMGS Onitsha), B. Agric. Tech (FUTO), MSc (UI) & Ph.D (MOUAU), Pdoc (UNISA)
Phone number:  +2348035428408,
Email:  victor.okoro@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Professor Victor M. O. Okoro is a Professor of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria.  He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Technology Degree (Animal Science) FUTO, MSc Animal Sciences, the University of Ibadan, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria in the area of Animal Breeding and Genetics.  He had his Post-Doctoral fellowship at the University of South Africa (UNISA), after which he took up a Research Fellowship position at the same University for a couple of years.  He is currently a member, Standing Committee, Livestock Genomics for Developing Countries’ Working Group of International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG).  He was also the National Data Analyst Consultant Nigeria, in the African Chicken Genetic Gains Project of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where he delivered excellent results.  He had received professional trainings in Applied Statistics and Bioinformatics and is conversant with statistical and programming tools such as MTDFREML, R, SAS, SPSS, Python and OpenMEE (for Meta-Analysis). He participated in the training course on Computer Application on the Analysis and Management of Natural Resources: GEOMATICS; organized by the United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) at Yaounde, Cameroons from August to September, 2009 and became well versed in the use of GIS software’s such as ArcGIS for Natural Resources Management. He is currently the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology SIWES coordinator, as well as the current Departmental coordinator, Center for Continuous Education. He has served and chaired several Faculty and Departmental committees since joining the University in 2005.

His current research focuses mainly on Animal breeding and genetics, Animal genomics, Genomic selection and breeding.  Through these research activities, he has published over73 scientific articles in high impact academic journals and his publications have received more than 465 citations, 12 h-index and 17 i10-indexes in Google Scholar and more than43,562 reads on Research Gate as at 6th May 2023. He has made several presentations at national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Okoro has successfully graduated 1 PhD and 3 MSc students, and currently supervising 3 M.Sc. and 3 PhD students.

Dr. Okoro belongs to several professional associations including the Professional Natural Scientist, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) etc. 

Dr. Okoro is happily married to Mrs. Chikodi Okoro and the marriage it is blessed with children.  

 

Academic Qualification

June 2017 – June 2019

Professional Certificate (Animal Breeding and Genetics)

Wageningen University and Research

Nov 2007 – Nov 2012.

Ph.D. (Animal Breeding and Genetics)

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

Dec 2001 – July 2003

Master of Science (Animal Science)

University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria.

Sept 1993 – Oct 1999

Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (Animal Science)

Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria.

Second Class Upper (Honours). 

Honours/Awards

  1. Post-doctoral Research fellowship, won at University of South Africa, Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, Florida Science Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa from November 1st2015 – October 31st
  2. United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources International Travel grant awarded at University of Yaounde, Cameroons from July 10th – August 09th 2009, to attend and participate in the summer training course – GIS and its applications to Management and Analysis of Natural Resources, Geomatics
  3. TETFUND grant for International Travel to attend and present conference papers at China. It was awarded to participate in the 34th Conference of the International Society of Animal Genetics, (ISAG XI’AN 2014) in Xi’an China, at Qujiang International Conference Center from 28th July, 2014 – 1st August, 2014.
  4. UNISA (University of South Africa) grants for International Travel to attend and present conference papers at Ireland.  Awarded to travel and participate in the 36th Conference of International Socieity of Animal Genetics holden at University College Dublin, Ireland between 16th -29th July, 2017.

Membership of Professional bodies

  1. Professional Natural Scientist, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). Registration No:
  2. Professional Animal Scientist, Registered with Nigerian Institute of Animal Science. Registration No: NIAS/RAS/386.
  3. Member International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). Registration no:
  4. Member South African Society of Animal Science (SASAS). Registration no: 194480.
  5. Member American Society of Animal Science (ASAS). Registration no: 102140.
  6. Member Nigerian Society of Animal Production (MNSAP).
  7. Member Brazilian Society of Animal Science (Brasileira de Zootecnia (SBZ)).

Courses assigned with their codes

AST 201, AGR 303, AGR 304, AST 401, AST 510, AST515, AST 701, AST 703, AST 702, AST 808, AST 829, AST 816, AST 830, AST 832, AST 901.

Work Experience

Prof. V. M. O Okoro has gained substantial administrative and other cognate experience under the Nigerian University System. Among other things, he has been privileged to serve as Departmental coordinator, Center for Continuous Education, Departmental Examinations Officer (2009-2012), Class Adviser (2005-2009), Member Departmental and School Committees including Examinations Disciplinary committee, School SIWES Co-ordinator (2022-Date), etc

Research Interest

Data mining and use of algorithms in Quantitative Animal Breeding, Crossbreeding Effects Estimation, , Animal Breeding Programme development for rural farmers, and Use of Genomics in identifying and evaluating genetic diversity and selection in Avians, Small ruminants, and Grasscutters of West Africa.

Publications

Past 8years’ publications:

  1. Victor M. O. Okoro, U. Chikereuba, G. Iheanacho, A. Ogundu, C. Chukwuocha, F. Chikaodinaka, C. Ifediba, O. E. Kadurumba, U. Ogundu, M. Iloeje (2023). West African Dwarf goat populations of Tropical Rainforest zone: Application of 2 Multivariate analysis tools on their characterization using morpho-biometric traits. Trop. Anim. Health and Prod.55:222 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03641-0

  2. Adeniyi C. Adeola, Isaac A. Babarinde, Sylvestre A. Chabi, Lotanna M. Nneji, AgboolaO.Okeyoyin, George Niba, Wanze K. Ndifor, Ojo C. Oladipo, Ayotunde O. Adebambo, Bello F. Folaniyi, Said I. Ng’ang’a, Wasiu A. Olaniyi, Victor M. Okoro, Babatunde E. Adedeji, OlatundeOmotoso, Adeola O. Ayoola, Moise M. Matuoke, Yun- Yu Wang, Oscar J.Sanke, Saidu O. Oseni, Christopher D. Nwani, Robert W. Murphy (2023). Population structure and evolutionary history of the greater cane rat (Thryonomysswinderianus) from the Guinean forests of West Africa.  Front Genet. 14: 1041103. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1041103

  3. Xie, C. Yan, A. C. Adeola, K. Wang, C. Huang, M. Xu, Q. Qiu, X. Yin, C. Fan, Y. Ma, T. Yin, Y. Gao, J. Deng, A. O. Okeyoyin, O. O. Oluwole, O. Omotosho, V.M.O. Okoro, O.G. Omitogun, P. M. Dawuda, S. C. Olaogun, L. M. Nneji, A.O. Ayoola, O. J. Sanke, P. D. Luka, E. Okoth, I. Lekolool, D. Mijele, R. P. Bishop, J. Han, W. Wang, M. Peng, and Y. Zhang (2022). African Suid Genomes Provide Insights into the Local Adaptation to Diverse African Environments. Mol. Biol. Evol. 39(12): msac256.  https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msac256
  4. P. Ogbuewu, V.M.O. Okoroand C. A. Mbajiorgu (2021).Meta-analysis of the responsesoflayinghenstogarlic(Alliumsativum)supplementation.AnimalFeedScienceandTechnology 275: 114866.
  5. Anyanwu G. A., Okoro V. M. O., and Mbajiorgu C. A. (2021). Optimum inclusion levels ofLeucaenaLeucocephalapastureleaf-mealongrowth,haematologyandphysiologicalperformance of growing Pigs.Tropical Animal Health and Production 53:116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02565-x
  6. Okoro, VMO.,Mbajiorgu CA &Ibe S. N. (2020).Prediction of serum biochemistry of pigsatpreandpostweaningstagesofgrowthusingregressiontreemethods.ComparativeClinicalPathology,29,1033-1039.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00580-020-03142-8.
  7. Ogbuewu IP,Okoro VM, Mbajiorgu CA. (2020). Meta-analysis of the influence of phytobiotic (pepper) supplementation in broiler chicken performance. Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod., 52 (1): 17-30.doi.10.1007/s11250-019-02118-3.
  8. Mashishi MD, Okoro VMO &Mbajiorgu CA (2019). Effects of Antimicrobial Interventions and Brining on Microbiological Quality of 6 Months’ Quick Frozen Chicken Mixed Portions. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 17(3): 6315-6336.
  9. Okafor OL, Okoro VMO,Mbajiorgu CA, Ogbuewu IP, Okoli IC and Ogundu UE (2019). Influence of Chicken Growth Hormone (cGH) SNP Genotypes on Morphometric and Growth Traits of Three Chicken Breeds.Indian J. Anim. Res., 53 (12) :1559-1565 DOI: 18805/ijar.B-1077
  10. P. Ogbuewu, V. M. Okoro, E. F. Mbajiorgu& C. A. Mbajiorgu (2018). Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and its effect on production indices of livestock and poultry—a review. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 28 (3): 669 – 677,https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-018-2862-7
  11. P. Ogbuewu, V. M. Okoro, E. F. Mbajiorgu, C. A. Mbajiorgu (2018). Beneficial Effects of Garlic in Livestock and Poultry Nutrition: A Review.  Agric Res. 1-16  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0390-y
  12. Ohanaka, AUC, Okoro VMO, Etuk IF, Unamba-Oparah IC and Okoli IC. (2018). Effects of palm kernel shell ash as organic mineral supplement on performance of broiler chicks. Indian Journal of Animal Research; 52 (11):1590-1596.
  13. Nwaodu CH, Okoro VMO, Uchegbu MC and Mbajiorgu, CA (2018). Effects of brooding periods on performance of poults and grow-out small bronze turkeys in hot humid tropical environment.  Tropical Animal Health and Production;50 (4): 851–856.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1507-1.
  14. Okoro VMO,Akwukwuegbu S., Mbajiorgu CA, Anyanwu GA (2017). Substitution and optimization of Nigerian White beniseed (sesamumindicum) cake for soybean (glacine max) meal in Cobb broiler diets.    Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 77(4): 365 – 372. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-58392016000100001 .
  15. Okoro VMO and Mbajiorgu CA. (2017).Crossbreeding parameter estimates for growth and conformation traits in a three pig diallel cross. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research.15(4):117-128. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1504_117128.
  16. Okoro, V. M. O, K. E. Ravhuhali,T. H. Mapholi, E. F. Mbajiorgu and C. A. Mbajiorgu (2017). Comparison of commercial and locally developed layers’ performance and egg size prediction using regression tree method.  Journalof AppliedPoult. Research26(4): 476-484. http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfx018.
  17. Okoro V. M. O, Ravhuhali K.E., Mapholi T.H., Mbajiorgu E.F. and Mbajiorgu C.A. (2017). Effect of age on production characteristics of Boschveld indigenous chickens of South Africa reared intensively.  South African Journal of Animal Science, 47 (2): 157 – 167.
  18. Okoro V. M. O and Mbajiorgu CA (2017). Diallel Cross in Swine Production:  A review.Indian Journal of Animal Research 51 (2): 212-218.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18805/ijar.v0iOF.7603.
  19. Agu, E.C., Okeudo, N.J., Aladi, N.O. and Okoro, V.M.O. (2017). Effect of dietary inclusion of ginger meal (Zingiberofficinale Roscoe) on performance, serum cholesterol profile and carcass quality of broilers.  Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 44 (1):  254-266.
  20. Okoro V. M. O.,Mbajiorgu E. F and Mbajiorgu C. A. (2016). Semen quality characteristics of koekoek breeder cocks due to supplemental inclusion levels of onion and garlic at 35-41 weeks of age.  Brazilian J. of Anim. Science/R. Bras. Zootec., 45(8): 433-440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-92902016000800002.
  21. 21.Okoro V. M. O., Nwokeocha A. C. C., Ijezie C. O., Mbajiorgu C. A. and EF Mbajiorgu (2016).  Effect of varying dietary supplemental inclusion levels of onion and garlic on semen quality characteristics of Hubbard white breeder broiler cocks aged 35-41 weeks old.  Indian J. of Anim. Research.  50 (6): 922 – 929. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18805/ijar.9378 .
  22. Ogbuewu I. P., Jiwuba P. D., Iwuji T. C., Okoro V. M.,Mbajiorgu C. A. and I. C. Okoli (2016). Neem (Azadirachtaindica) leaf and kernel and their effects on production and physiology of poultry:  a review.  Comp. Clin. Pathol.  26 (2): 299-307. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00580-016-2336-8
  23. M.O. Okoro, B.I. Kemka, E.H. Okoh, R.C. Osuchukwu, O. Obiozor, O. Kadurumba, U.E. Ogundu and S.N. Ibe (2015). Genetic variability among pig populations in Imo State, Nigeria using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR.  Nig.  Journal of Genetics. 28 (2): 44-47.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nigjg.2015.09.004 .
  24. M. O. Okoro, U. E. Ogundu, M. Okani, I. Oziri, O. Eneowo, O. T. Olisenekwu, O. Kadurumba, I. P. Ogbuewu, S. Onyemauwa, H. O. Ukwu and S. N. Ibe (2015). Principal Component Analysis of Conformation and Blood marker traits at pre and post weaning stages of growth in F2 crossbred Nigerian Indigenous x Landrace Pigs.  Animal Biotechnology. 26 (4): 243–250.  Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2015.1014043
  25. Okoro V. M. O.,Ogundu, U. E., Udedibie, A. B. I., Okoro, C. L., Ukwu, H. O., and Ibe, S. N. (2015). Effect of genotype, sex and parity on growth traits of diallel crossed Nigerian indigenous and exotic pigs.  Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 42 (1): 29 – 40.

Research/Publication Links

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4065-0529

Research Gate Profile URL: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victor_Okoro

Google Scholar Page URL: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=QZI9uxAAAAAJ&hl=en

Publons: https://publons.com/researcher/2260190/victor-m-o-okoro/

Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-m-o-okoro-17337635/?trk=hp-identity-photo