The Micro-Diploma in Applied Microbiome Research
A 4-week structured online programme for Nigerian and African scientists, agricultural professionals, and health practitioners — built to close Africa's microbiome research gap with a verifiable credential that opens three career pathways.
Less than 3% of global microbiome research is conducted on African populations — yet African populations are among the most microbiome-diverse on Earth.
The science, the technology, and the commercial market are converging. Nigeria has 11.2 million people living with Type 2 diabetes. Its catfish aquaculture industry loses 30–50% of production to bacterial disease annually. Its agricultural soils are among the most degraded in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Microbiome science addresses all of these problems. The Zodel Hub Microbiome Research Accelerator gives you the structured, Africa-specific training — and the verifiable Micro-Diploma — to lead that work.
Apply for Cohort 1Each week includes 4 conceptual videos and 1 dedicated Technical Theoretical Session — real protocols, real calculations, real lab preparation.
Understanding Life Invisible
How Science Is Designed
Decoding the Invisible
Science Into Value
This is not a certificate of attendance. It is a named, scored, verifiable academic credential — awarded by the Zodel Hub Microbiome Research Programme, signed by the CEO of Zodel Biotec Ltd, and verifiable by any employer, funder, or institution.
There is currently no other verifiable, scored microbiome research credential issued by a Nigerian institution.
Zodel Hub Microbiome Research Programme
A Division of Zodel Biotec Ltd · Lagos, Nigeria
This is to certify that
[Your Name]
has successfully completed the Microbiome Research Accelerator — Cohort 1
Verify at microbiome.zodelhub.com/verify
Twelve career benefits across four pathways — including a dedicated pathway for African diaspora professionals worldwide.
Cite the diploma in applications to TETFund, NITDA, NIH Fogarty, Wellcome Trust Africa Programme, EDCTP, and Gates Foundation Grand Challenges.
Demonstrate prior structured microbiome training in Nigerian and international PhD and fellowship applications — including the Zodel Hub fellowship track.
List the diploma in journal author credentials alongside your institutional affiliation — adding specialist credibility in a field where African researchers have historically lacked formal credentials.
Present the diploma to MDCN, PSN, or NAN as evidence of continuing professional development in one of the fastest-growing clinical science areas.
The only verifiable microbiome research credential for roles at NIOMR, NESREA, NIFARI, NAFDAC, WHO Nigeria, FAO Nigeria, and life sciences companies across Africa.
Present the diploma to farms, food companies, hospitals, and environmental agencies as the formal qualification underpinning your microbiome consulting expertise.
Include the diploma in founder credentials when pitching microbiome-based products to TEF, NITDA, Lagos State Innovation Challenge, and international impact investors.
Demonstrate formal applied microbiome science training — backed by a verifiable diploma — when engaging NAFDAC for probiotic or biofertiliser product registration.
Shift from vendor to subject matter expert in commercial conversations — the diploma positions you as a credentialled authority in microbiome applications.
For African Diaspora Professionals Worldwide
Your connection to Africa's
microbiome research future
Whether you are based in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, or anywhere in the world — the Micro-Diploma in Applied Microbiome Research gives you a verifiable credential to bridge your international experience with Africa's rapidly growing microbiome science sector.
If you trained or are working abroad and want to return to or contribute to African research — the Micro-Diploma establishes your microbiome science credentials in the African research ecosystem. Cite it in applications to NIOMR, NESREA, WACCBIP, African Union research grants, and Wellcome Trust Africa Programme collaborations.
The diploma is a verifiable credential from an institution with a functioning genomics laboratory — the Zodel Hub eDNA Lab in Lagos, housing Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. For diaspora researchers seeking to collaborate with African institutions, it signals genuine investment in African science infrastructure, not just symbolic affiliation.
The diploma — and subsequent ZIMP fellowship — gives diaspora professionals a structured pathway to develop formal research collaborations between their international institution and Zodel Hub. Co-authorship, joint grant applications, and shared datasets are concrete outcomes ZIMP is designed to enable.
African diaspora communities collectively remit over $95 billion annually to the continent. Diaspora entrepreneurs who hold the Micro-Diploma can credibly develop and pitch microbiome-based products and services — probiotics, biofertilisers, functional food brands — that connect international quality standards to African market demand.
Diaspora professionals in the UK, USA, Canada, or Europe who understand microbiome science can identify, evaluate, and import validated microbiome products — probiotics, agricultural inoculants, fermented functional foods — for the Nigerian and African market. The diploma provides the scientific literacy to make those decisions with confidence.
Diaspora researchers at UK, US, Canadian, or European institutions can use the diploma to strengthen grant applications for Africa-focused microbiome research — including NIH Fogarty International Centre, MRC Global Challenge Research Fund, UKRI Africa programmes, and Volkswagen Foundation African science initiatives. The diploma evidences prior structured training in African microbiome science specifically.
Diaspora diploma holders can participate in ZIMP Phases 1 (Research Design), 3 (Bioinformatics & Analysis), and 4 (Commercialisation) entirely remotely. Only Phase 2 (Laboratory Training) requires in-person attendance at the Zodel Hub eDNA Laboratory in Lagos — enabling diaspora professionals to schedule one focused trip rather than relocating for the full programme.
Diaspora environmental scientists, ecologists, and conservation professionals can use the diploma and ZIMP to develop consulting practices that apply eDNA monitoring, soil microbiome assessment, and aquatic ecosystem analysis to African conservation projects — an emerging field with significant international funding from WWF, IUCN, and the Global Environment Facility.
Every diaspora graduate joins the Zodel Hub Microbiome Alumni Network — a growing international community of Africa's microbiome-literate scientists and professionals. The network is designed to become a referral ecosystem for research collaborations, co-investment opportunities, and commercial partnerships that bridge African institutions and the global diaspora.
The researchers who are trained, curious, and willing to act will write it. The Micro-Diploma in Applied Microbiome Research gives you the credential to lead that work.