AU urges governments to empower science with informed policies
By Sylvester Thompson
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a prominent figure at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has called on Nigerian and other African governments to empower science with bold and informed policies.
Akinbo, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said that though African scientists were making breakthroughs, their efforts seemed to be hindered by inexact policies.
He advised governments not to treat science as a threat, as Africa cannot afford to lag as the world moves forward in food security, pharmaceuticals and health innovations.
According to him, innovations in all these areas are driven by science and technology.
“As global powers race toward scientific dominance, Nigeria and Africa stand at a critical crossroads, and the time to act is now,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Akinbo is the Technical Lead, Genome Editing Initiative of the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation.
He challenged African policymakers to drop their fear of innovation and embrace science as the engine of Africa’s future, from secured food systems to self-reliant healthcare and pharmaceutical breakthroughs.
Akinbo stressed that the time has come for Africa to write its policies in the language of science.
According to him, African researchers were already delivering, using government-funded infrastructure to develop African-led innovations in agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, and what was presently needed was policy support, not resistance.
Referencing Agenda 2063, Africa’s master plan for transformation, he underscored that scientific innovation was not a luxury but a necessity, especially in an agrarian continent blessed with abundant natural resources.
“It’s no longer enough to plant grains, we must plant viable seeds that will feed not only our people but generate export power and global relevance,’’ he said.
Akinbo reiterated that science should not be treated as a monster; rather, governments should become enablers by funding innovations, supporting patents locally, and protecting the intellectual property rights of African scientists.
He emphasised the need for science communication, urging scientists and policymakers to engage in dialogue, not battles.
“When science is communicated properly, policymakers will understand it and when policymakers understand science, they can write laws that actually help the people,’’ he said.
He said Nigeria as a potential model, already has researchers and facilities capable of world-class breakthroughs.
He, however, warned that without the right policies and budget commitments, the work risks will be lost to brain drain and foreign patents.
Akinbo urged governments to meet their Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) obligations and align with instruments like the Kampala Declaration.
He said that when this is done, innovation would not be stifled by red tape or anti-science sentiments.
“Science isn’t the enemy, poor policy is. Let’s make policy the ally of innovation.
“Empower science and Africa rises, muffle science and the future is lost,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Joseph Edeh
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