- …as American chemical society holds symposium in Ibadan
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to transitioning Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-driven economy through the foundational position of chemical sciences.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, made the pledge on Monday whereas delivering an deal with on the opening ceremony of the eleventh American Chemical Society (ACS) Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter annual symposium.
He stated the federal government would work with the National Assembly, the personal sector and worldwide companions to considerably enhance funding for market-driven, application-oriented analysis, including that precedence can be given to grants, infrastructure and insurance policies that shield mental property and translate laboratory breakthroughs into sensible options.
The symposium, themed “Emerging Technologies in Chemistry for Sustainable Development,” is ongoing on the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, and has drawn scientists, researchers, innovators, business consultants, teachers, college students and policymakers from throughout the nation.
According to the minister, information from credible sources, together with the National Bureau of Statistics, present that the contribution of chemical know-how and superior manufacturing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and export earnings stays disproportionately low in comparison with the nation’s potential.
He stated Nigeria should confront this actuality, noting that regardless of plentiful pure sources, efficiency in chemical know-how and value-addition processing stays under expectation.
Represented by the Director of the Chemical Technology Department of the ministry, Dr Stella Igwilo, Udeh stated the convention theme aligns with nationwide priorities, stressing that chemistry underpins sustainable industrialisation, from superior supplies and clear vitality to greener manufacturing and smarter analytical instruments.
“We continue to import pharmaceuticals, agro-chemicals and industrial materials at an unsustainable cost while exporting raw, unprocessed commodities. This is not just an economic gap; it is a national imperative for change,” he stated.
To deal with the problem, the minister stated the technique should be daring and centered, anchored on crucial pillars, together with native content material and worth addition, to shift the economy from exporting uncooked supplies to producing high-value chemical merchandise domestically.
“This means leveraging our petroleum, fuel, mineral and agricultural sources to produce completed and intermediate chemical substances domestically, creating jobs, retaining wealth and constructing industrial resilience.
“Strategic funding in R&D: The present stage of funding in analysis and growth throughout the Chemical sciences is insufficient. My ministry is dedicated to working with the National Assembly, the personal sector amd worldwide companions to considerably enhance funding for market-driven, application-oriented analysis.
“We will prooritize grants, infrastructure and policies that protect intellectual property and translar laboratory breakthroughs into solutions.”
Noting that the way forward for Nigerian chemical innovation is dependent upon the scholars and researchers within the laboratories in the present day, the Minister expressed commitment to fostering an ecosystem that nurtures curiosity, supplies fashionable tools, and join younger expertise with business mentors.
He challenged the students and members on the symposium to enable the consortium of consultants information coverage, set requirements and validate applied sciences.
Delivering the keynote deal with, on Development and Application of novel radiopharmaceuticals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Prof Franklin Aigbirhio of the University of Cambridge, UK summarised his works and shared the important thing takeaways.
He stated, “What I’m creating and making use of are new imaging applied sciences that may assist us diagnose illnesses extra shortly and in addition assist the event of recent therapies. I’m notably eager on adapting applied sciences which are already being utilized in Western nations, which are sometimes fairly costly.
“I work with my colleagues in Nigerian universities to make these applied sciences easier, extra reasonably priced, and extra broadly obtainable in nations like Nigeria. This will assist the healthcare system obtain the identical stage of affect seen in Western nations.
“My predominant purpose is to enhance healthcare in Nigeria, particularly as a result of most of the well being challenges we face are related to these in developed nations. For instance, hypertension and hypertension have gotten extra prevalent in each the UK and Nigeria. As our inhabitants grows older, we’re additionally starting to see extra circumstances of dementia and associated circumstances.
“These points kind a significant a part of my analysis focus. I’m all for how insurance policies may help enhance healthcare within the nation. Policymakers have an vital position to play in strengthening illness prevention and therapy programs.
“One key space is infrastructure growth, notably in chemistry departments, that are central to scientific and medical innovation. It is vital not solely to practice extra chemists but in addition to guarantee they’ve a broad, interdisciplinary understanding. Chemistry mustn’t exist in isolation; it ought to work along with different fields to create better affect.
“In my own work, I focus on bridging chemistry and healthcare and using this connection to support the development of modern healthcare technologies. This approach can help strengthen our overall health system. As always, funding remains a major challenge. However, with strong institutional support and commitment at the highest levels, I believe these goals can be achieved.”
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Prof Sunday Okeniyi who was additionally the Chairman of the event, emphasizes the significance of science and chemistry in shaping the world and securing the way forward for humanity and the planet.
Highlighting the theme of the symposium, the Don famous that chemistry performs a vital position in addressing international challenges including that sustainable growth is not only a slogan, however an obligation that calls for scientific development, ethics, and duty.
He referred to as on African scientists, notably these in Nigeria, to transcend from being shoppers of scientific outcomes to changing into producers of options, drivers of innovation, and homeowners of mental capital whereas emphasizing the necessity for universities to evolve from facilities of instruction to hubs of innovation and problem-solving, and for analysis to give attention to translation, commercialization, and coverage relevance.
Prof Okeniyi counseled the American Chemical Society, Nigerian International Chemical Sciences Chapter, for its visionary management and commitment to capability constructing {and professional} requirements, expressing hope that the symposium will lead to purposeful collaborations, rigorous discussions, and constructive debates that may prolong past the gathering and affect laboratories, industries, school rooms, insurance policies, and communities.
In her goodwill remarks, Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi commending the ACS harped on the significance of science saying, scientific progress continues to remodel the way in which individuals stay, shapes their well being outcomes, improves longevity and enhances the general high quality of life.
“Science remains the foundation upon which we build a healthier and more sustainable future from life saving medical breakthroughs to technological innovations that address environmental and social challenges”, she stated.
She nevertheless famous because the gathering rejoice the immense advantages of chemistry, “we must also acknowledge the sailent dangers that come with unsafe chemical exposure. Chemical pollution has become one of the most pressing public health concerns of our time.”
She referred to as on the ACS to the crucial position in shaping proof based mostly public coverage, saying their voice should stay robust in areas similar to sustainability, environmental security, science training, workforce growth and innovation through analysis and know-how.”
In her welcome deal with, the Chair, ACS Nigeria International Chemical Sciences, Prof Edu Inam famous that “we live in an era where science is not only expected to advance knowledge but also to provide meaningful solutions to some of the most pressing challenges confronting the planet.”
She stated, “Today, sustainable growth has grow to be a world precedence, as points similar to local weather, rising air pollution, lack of biodiversity, and the rising demand for meals, vitality and clear water proceed to dominate the issues of each creating and developed nations.
“By leveraging innovative technologies, environmentally friendly green processes and sustainable materials, chemistry holds the potential to revolutionise industries, safeguard our environment and enhance the quality of life for generations to come.”
She defined that the convention has lengthy served as an important educational discussion board the place concepts intersect with improvements and theoretical ideas are translated into sensible purposes.
Speaking earlier, the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chair, Prof Ganiyat Oloyede famous that chemistry stays central to addressing most of the urgent challenges going through the world, together with sustainable, environmental safety, public well being, vitality safety and industrial innovation.
She stated the convention gives a possibility to replicate on the evolving position of chemical sciences in these areas and to study how analysis, training and business can work collectively to ship impactful options.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to deserving particular person for his or her contributions to the sphere of sciences and notably, chemistry.