The dormancy of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN)


The importance of organized and structured societies linked to a specific career is to oversee activities and facilitate successful achievements within the ecosystem of same, but in the field of Soil Science and the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, the narrative is quite pitiable.


The field of soil science in Nigeria is one that have received less or no concern from her so called stake holders, academicians, board members and specialists. 


And it is utterly disheartening that the SSSN have been dormant and inactive for a while—from her website being down, firstly, to her reluctancy in engaging activities, to an inactive socialmedia  handle and a lot to worry about.




Going through the social media pages of other soil science societies like British Society of Soil Science, Canadian Society of Soil Science, Soil Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of Ireland etc the activities, updates, engagement and work is top notch and I bitterly wonder why the SSSN remains badly different:


1. The society do not have an official website

2. No social media pages aside Facebook which only has a post update since 15th September, 2017 (I noticed the president Bashiru Raji LinkedIn profile to be inactive)

3. No update of activities on new findings, research works and scientific conference outcomes.

4. No achievement notices on farmers testimony and positive feedbacks on assistance received from field experts

5. No update on climatechange

6. Nothing tangible can be credited to the SSSN. 


Nevertheless, the just concluded COO26 conference in Glasgow was on the social media pages of other societies safe for the SSSN and the question remains, why?


Or are the bent on only calling for membership and abstract submission—a way of making more money for themselves while the major work, mission, vision and objective of the society remains untouched and unreached?


As far as climatic and environmental issues are concerned, the soil cannot be kicked out of sight—soils are the natural bodies in which plant grows and other activities take place and stands as the starting point for every successful agricultural activities. Since people depends on soils, conversely, good soils are dependent on good people.


The situation and nature of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria may remain the way it is as a society if the loopholes are not covered, if the 'I' and 'T' are not dotted and crossed respectively.


This is a call to get things right

This is a call to do what's right to encourage many who are passionate about the science of soil.

This is a call for work and consistency.

This is a call to make the society a stronger one.

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