Whole-genome sequencing across 449 samples spanning 47 ethnolinguistic groups provides insights into genetic diversity in Nigeria
Esha Joshi, Arjun Biddanda, Olajumoke Adeniji-Popoola, Aminu Yakubu, Oluyemisi Osakwe, Delali Attipoe, Ogochukwu Francis Osifo, Zahra Isa Moddibo, Aisha Nabila Ado-Wanka, Aminu Yakubu, Olubukunola Oyedele, Olajumoke Adeniji-Popoola, Delali Attipoe, Golibe Eze-Echesi, Fatima Z. Modibbo, Nabila Ado-Wanka, Oluyemisi Osakwe, Onome Braimah, Eramoh Julius-Enigimi, Terver Mark Akindigh, Bolutife Kusimo, Chinenye Akpulu, Chiamaka Nwuba, Ofonime Ebong, Chinyere Anyika, Oluwatimilehin Adewunmi, Yusuf Ibrahim, Janet Kashimawo, Chidi Nkwocha, Peter Iyitor, Temi Abiwon, Adeola Adeleye, Abayomi Ode, Anjola Ayo-Lawal, Kasiena Akpabio, Emame Edu, Chiemela Njoku, Bari Ballew, Cameron Palmer, Esha Joshi, Arjun Biddanda, Colm O’Dushlaine, Abasi Ene–Obong, Teresia L. Bost, Segun Fatumo, Aminu Yakubu, Abdullahi Musa, Abdulrasheed M. Mujtaba, Abiodun Popoola, Abubakar M. Bello, Anthony Anyanwu, Ashiru Yusuf, Gesiye E.L. Bozimo, Goddy Bassey, Hadiza Bala, Istifanus Bala Bosan, Jemimah Edah, Mutiu Alani Jimoh, Kenneth Nwankwo, Olalekan Ojo, Marcus Inyama, Maryam Apanpa, Mohammed Inuwa Mustapha, Musa Ali-Gombe, Olubukola Ojo, Oludare F. Adeyemi, Samuel Ajayi, Sanusi Bala, Temitope Ojo, Usman Malami Aliyu, Yemi Raji, Zainab Tanko, Amina Mohammed, David Oladele, Muhammed Hamzat, Emmanuel Agaba, Emeka Nwankwo, Ifeoma Ulasi, Jonah Musa, Umeora Odidika, Omolola Salako, Oyekanmi Nash, Babatunde Lawal Salako, Kenneth Chima Nwankwo, Marcus Inyama Asuquo, Timothy Ekwere, Ezechukwu Aniekwensi, Chidi Ezeude, Olayemi Awopeju, Tolutope Kolawole, Olubiyi Adesina, Vandi Ghyi, Olaolu Oni, Zumnan Gimba, Abasi Ene-Obong, Estelle Dogbo, Babatunde Lawal Salako, Oyekanmi Nash, Omolola Salako, Olubukunola Oyedele
Abstract
African populations have been drastically underrepresented in genomics research, and failure to capture the genetic diversity across the numerous ethnolinguistic groups (ELGs) found on the continent has hindered the equity of precision medicine initiatives globally. Here, we describe the whole-genome sequencing of 449 Nigerian individuals across 47 unique self-reported ELGs. Population structure analysis reveals genetic differentiation among our ELGs, consistent with previous findings. From the 36 million SNPs and insertions or deletions (indels) discovered in our dataset, we provide a high-level catalog of both novel and medically relevant variation present across the ELGs. These results emphasize the value of this resource for genomics research, with added granularity by representing multiple ELGs from Nigeria. Our results also underscore the potential of using these cohorts with larger sample sizes to improve our understanding of human ancestry and health in Africa.