The Nanotechnology group (NANO+) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other funding agencies of the federal government to prioritize the funding of nanotechnology research in Nigeria to catalyse socio-economic growth of the country.
This was stated in a recent communiqué issued by the research group after the completion of the 3rd annual workshop/conference on nanotechnology titled ‘Nanotechnology Applications in Africa: Opportunities and constraints’, held in Ogbomoso.
AbdulKareem Ambali Saka, head, nanotechnology research group, Federal University of Technology, Minna and keynote speaker, in a paper titled, ‘Nanotechnology as a tool of developmental change in Nigeria’, identified inadequate policy, poor funding, dearth of human capital and expertise and lack of sophisticated equipment for research as challenges in nanotechnology development in Nigeria.
Saka in his paper surveyed the applications of nanotechnology with relevance to some of the challenging areas in Nigeria, such as healthcare, portable water, agriculture and food safety, national security and energy. He however projected that there are lots of benefits that the country can derive from investment in nanotechnology R&D.
Furthermore, he advocated for the establishment of centre of excellence in nanotechnology in Nigeria, and prioritization of nanotechnology research for funding by TETFund.
Akinyemi Oyefeso, the director of chemical technology, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and chairman, national steering committee on nanotechnology policy and development in Nigeria, assured that the draft policy on nanotechnology is being taken through due process to ensure its speedy consideration by the federal government.
Oyefeso however reiterated efforts of the ministry of Science and Technology through the national steering committee on nanotechnology at developing a framework for policy document on nanotechnology R&D in Nigeria.
Agbaje Lateef, head of the group while reading the communiqué stated that ninety-two abstracts were submitted for the plenary session of the conference. According to him, the conference was attended by over 150 participants from about 45 institutions including scholars, policy makers, and students.
Issues raised in the communiqué at the end of the 3-day nanotechnology workshop/conference include: Sub-Saharan Africa region especially Nigeria should key into nanotechnology initiatives as a strategy towards improving her socio-economic development and the transformation of important sectors.
Therefore, the conference underscored the need for the prioritization of funding of nanotechnology research by TETFund and other funding agencies. Specifically, the federal ministry of science and technology was advised to replicate the initiative of the department of science and technology of South Africa by funding nanotechnology research in its budget, while private sector players are also called upon to invest in the funding of researches.
It also tasked Nigeria to prioritize applications of nanotechnology in agriculture, provision of clean water, pollution control and remediation, healthcare, and renewable energy. Similarly, it urged the federal government to fast-track the development of the national policy on nanotechnology research and development for passage and implementation in view of the rapid developments in the field of nanotechnology.
The group equally calls for synergy between universities, industries and government to commercialize nanotechnology researches output. This is necessary and urgent to avoid turning Africa into a dumping ground for finished nanotechnology products from other continents.
It also called on the ministry of science and technology to establish centre of excellence across the six geopolitical zones of the country to reduce the frustration being experienced by students and researchers due to lack of equipment to conduct the characterizations necessary for nanomaterials.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
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