Strengthening Bioinformatics and Genomics Analyses Skills in Africa for Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals: Report of the 2nd Conference of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network.

The second conference of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN21) was held from October 11 to October 13, 2021. The event was organized by the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network. A 1-day genomic analysis workshop on genome-wide association study and polygenic risk score analysis was organized as part of the conference. It was organized primarily as a research capacity building initiative to empower Nigerian researchers to take a leading role in this cutting-edge field of genomic data science. The theme of the conference was "Leveraging Bioinformatics and Genomics for the attainments of the Sustainable Development Goals." The conference used a hybrid approach-virtual and in-person. It served as a platform to bring together 235 registered participants mainly from Nigeria and virtually, from all over the world. NBGN21 had four keynote speakers and four leading Nigerian scientists received awards for their contributions to genomics and bioinformatics development in Nigeria. A total of 100 travel fellowships were awarded to delegates within Nigeria. A major topic of discussion was the application of bioinformatics and genomics in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3-Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4-Quality Education, and SDG 15-Life on Land [Biodiversity]). In closing, most of the NBGN21 conference participants were interviewed and interestingly they agreed that bioinformatics and genomic analysis of African genomes are vital in identifying population-specific genetic variants that confer susceptibility to different diseases that are endemic in Africa. The knowledge of this can empower African healthcare systems and governments for timely intervention, thereby enhancing good health and well-being.

Academic performance data of undergraduate students׳ in 23 programmes from a private University in Nigeria.

The quality of teaching and learning in higher education in many developing countries can be improved as institutions in this region adopt evidence-based practices that emphasize empirical measurements, observations, analysis and reports of learning outcomes. This article presents and analyses data on the academic performances of undergraduate students for duration of three semesters across the three major colleges of Landmark University, a private University in Nigeria. The colleges include the college of Agricultural Sciences (CAS), college of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS), and the college of Science and Engineering (CSE). Furthermore, population samples of 82, 577 and 812 undergraduates were selected randomly from CAS, CBSS and CSE respectively; totaling a population of sample of 1471 undergraduates from all academic levels (200L-500L) with the exception of first year students. The random selection was drawn from three consecutive semesters- the first and second semesters of academic 2016/2017 session and first semester of 2017/2018 academic session. The cumulative GPA of the sample population of students for the semester highlighted was obtained from the Centre for Systems and Information Services Units of the University. Motivated by the need to promote evidence-based research in academic excellence, a spread-sheet containing the detailed dataset is attached to this article. The descriptive statistics and frequency distributions of academic performance data are presented in with the use of tables and graphs for easy data interpretations. The data provided in this article supports the goal of a regional policy towards the realization of qualitative sustainable education.