The Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, has urged African nations to leverage on nanotechnology in transitioning the economy into knowledge-based on the back of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seek to attain inclusive and sustainable development across the continent over the next 50 years.
The agreement aims to boost intra-African trade by providing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement among the member states, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights and competition policy. NANO+, which is a frontline research group on nanotechnology in Nigeria has slated 26-28 October, for her 5th annual international workshop/conference tagged ‘LAUTECH NANO 2021’ with the theme, ‘Nanotechnology in Africa: Changing the Narratives for the Benefits of Mankind’.
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According to the Group, LAUTECH NANO 2021, is expected to draw scholars, policy makers and participants from within and outside Nigeria in agriculture, life sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences, engineering and medical fields to discuss research activities in the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology for growth and development of Africa. Participants will benefit from the wealth of experiences of speakers who are active players in nanotechnology research from Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Botswana.
Agbaje Lateef, head, NANO+ Group, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, said the conference will be addressed by Ogbonnaya Onu, Nigeria’s minister of science, technology and innovation. According to him, the group has consistently organised workshops and conferences on nanotechnology since 2017; thereby making it one of the most productive research groups in Nigerian Universities.
Lateef, who is a professor of Microbiology in the department of Pure and Applied Biology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, posits that NANO+ has been in the forefront of creating awareness about the bourgeoning discipline of nanotechnology and its attendant potentials to solve myriads of problems confronting mankind, both locally and internationally. “Some of our members recently x-rayed Nigeria’s contribution to nanotechnology R&D in the last one decade with the view of charting a course for the country in nanotechnology enterprise,” said Lateef.
According to him, through her workshops on green synthesis, characterization and applications of nanoparticles, the group has impacted positively in training several postgraduate students and early career scientists in the art of nanotechnology. However, for Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from nanotechnology research, Lateef believes that governments at all levels and stakeholders must increase funding to the education sector.
“It is also important to develop a road map for nanotechnology policy and development in the country, while research groups such as NANO+ that have distinguished themselves should be provided with a centre of excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The group calls on technocrats, industrialists, funding agencies and government to support its quest for innovative research in nanotechnology for the benefit of the nation and humanity at large. It also adds its voice to the agitation for adequate and sustainable funding of the University system,” he concludes.
