Adam Note: This is a first of a few articles I’ve requested on food science on different countries. Most of these people have their own blogs or are good at talking about themselves so I thought it’d be great to showcase them here!
Our first guest is Ukachukwu Chioma Shulammite who found me on Quora. Chioma is a food scientist who studied in Nigeria. She messaged me and I asked her to write an article about being a food scientist in Nigeria. You can read more of her articles here: chifoodscience.wordpress.com
I am Ukachukwu Chioma Shulammite (Nee Uchegbu), a graduate of Food Science and technology from Abia State University Uturu, Abia state Nigeria.
Food science is basically an interesting course for me while in the university although it has never been my dreamed field of study. Initially, I was depressed at a mere mention of food science. I have always wondered if there will ever be a professional job and if I can proceed for any career in food science and technology. People often demean me and my course whenever I mention am a food scientist. I often hear of comments like-where do they work? Who will employ you? Nigeria don’t have job opportunities for your career, etc.
Personally, I love food and anything relating to healthy food and nutrition captivates my interest, thus I proceeded and went for food science. But here in Nigeria, personal choices and preferences are never met as the economic and political policies do cause kiosk and confusion in lives of people especially the less privileged and financially challenged ones. I am constrained financially and can only jump start in this profession if I have a paid job to sponsor my career in food science. I intend going for my masters in food processing and preservation in the nearest future.
While in school, I made sure I was attentive to lectures and made practical research personally but the course I love most while in school is brewing technology which was our 3rd year course. I wanted to be a brewer upon graduation but never got any job opportunity after several applications until now. My hope was dashed and I keep regretting venturing into food science. I had tried having a food Blog where I can write articles on basically food and its nutrients (chifoodscience.wordpress.com ) but am not consistent because I later got a procurement job in an engineering company, time sapping and consuming. I am looking forward to exiting come 2018 by God’s grace to see what I can do for self in food science. Right now I am nurturing an idea which is procurement, packaging, sales and exportation of Nigerian raw and processed foods through my miniature website(www.mitejoeglobal.com.ng). This idea has been in the idle as so many constraints presents itself but am not relenting as each challenge teaches and makes me.
I registered MITEJOE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS in 2015 shortly before I married as a business name when I started nurturing the idea of venturing into a personal food business and other importation in the future as a bid to survive and proceed to my masters in food science and technology.
Nigeria is richly blessed with lots of raw foods and vegetables. We have various delicacies according to region but we have just little or nothing when it comes to technical knowhow. Our policies and politics are not friendly and considerate to young graduates as unemployment is skyrocketing. The country hardly invest in its future as money laundering and corruption is the order of the day coupled with few companies who employ basically who have contacts and connection. Most of my colleagues in school have ventures into business or different career other than food science related jobs.
I was recently employed in a defunct NGO (Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria), charged with creating awareness and sensitization for safe and quality food sales and healthy eating, food inspection, safe food handling checks for all food vendors and operators, etc. awaiting Federal Government endorsement and adoption. As soon as it is adopted, we will start operation.
I came across your contact on https://www.quora.com/ and your profile motivated me. I love what you do and I wish you will coach me to become a better me in food science.
Mrs. Chioma Ukachukwu (nee Uchegbu)
(as of now, Chioma has not submitted a picture, so picture not available)