By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
A Nanotechnology expert, Prof. Lateef Agbaje, has advocated the inclusion of Nigeria’s nanotechnology policy framework in the proposed 500 million dollars National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF).
Agbaje, Head of the NANO+ Group, Ladoke Akinola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, said this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Nanotechnology involves working on atoms and molecules to produce new, high-performance materials, sensors, and devices.
NAN recalls that Dr Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education, announced the Federal Government’s approval of the fund on May 9 during the Federal Executive Council meeting.
The NRIDF was targeted at transforming Nigeria into a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy through sustained investment in research, science and technology.
He expressed concern over the delay in the approval of Nigeria’s National Nanotechnology Policy Framework which began in 2018.
“Our involvement as a visible research group in the country was to contribute to the review of the policy framework.
“But up till now, the framework has not received approval from the Federal Executive Council, neither has it been legislated into law.
“We are still on the road after about eight years, while the rest of the world is moving ahead.
“While commending the Federal Government for establishing the $500 million NRIDF, our hope is that Nanotechnology R&D will benefit immensely from the fund,” Agbaje said.
He further said that it would provide the much-needed nanotechnology infrastructure and support to universities which have demonstrated strong research base in Nanotechnology.
According to him, the NANO+ Group of LAUTECH has continued to demonstrate strong research capabilities in nanotechnology and required adequate infrastructure and institutional support to expand its impact.
The professor said the absence of a national framework and focal institution for nanotechnology had limited Nigeria’s ability to benefit from the enormous economic and scientific opportunities associated with the field.
Agbaje said Nigeria was missing opportunities in agriculture, medicine, renewable energy, environmental management and industrial production due to the absence of coordinated investment in nanotechnology.
He explained that nanotechnology could support the development of multifunctional fertilisers capable of improving plant growth, remediating polluted soils and acting as pesticides simultaneously.
“In medicine, nanotechnology can improve diagnosis through rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic kits.
“In renewable energy, nanoparticles can improve solar energy harvesting and battery storage efficiency.
“These are areas where the world is making significant progress while Nigeria is yet to key-in,” he said.
Agbaje further said nanotechnology offered solutions for water purification and treatment of emerging contaminants that conventional water treatment systems could not effectively handle.
He said that nanomaterials could be deployed to develop advanced absorbents and treatment platforms for industrial, agricultural and domestic wastewater, among other benefits.
“Many of our agricultural exports face rejection because of aflatoxins, microbial contamination and chemical residues.
“Nanotechnology can help remove these barriers and improve the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian products globally,” he said.
Agbaje said researchers in the sub-sector had continued advocacy efforts to draw government attention to the importance of nanotechnology. (NAN)http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Uche Anunne
