By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Prof. Johnson Abimbola, President, Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS), says emerging technologies are transforming research and development in the physical sciences therefore require increased funding.
Abimbola said this on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while speaking on the impact of emerging technologies on physical sciences research.
He said physical sciences encompass disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, geography and geosciences, all of which increasingly depended on advanced technologies to accelerate discoveries and innovation.
The president said scientific progress and technological advancement had always evolved together, with each driving the other.
“Historically, scientific discoveries have produced new technologies, while those technologies have, in turn, accelerated scientific research.
“We moved from manual calculations using four-figure tables to mechanical calculators and later electronic calculators powered by silicon technology.
“Each technological breakthrough has made scientific research faster, more accurate and efficient,” he said.
Abimbola said AI, big data analytics, cloud computing, high-performance computing, drones, remote sensing and internet-enabled sensors had significantly improved data collection, analysis and predictive modelling across scientific disciplines.
He cited meteorology as an example, explaining that the accuracy of weather forecasting depended largely on the quantity and quality of available data.
The professor also highlighted advances in renewable energy technologies, particularly the development of perovskite solar cells, which he described as one of the most promising emerging technologies.
According to him, unlike conventional silicon-based solar panels, perovskite solar cells could eventually be manufactured through low-cost printing processes, making solar energy more affordable and widely accessible.
He, however, noted that the technology still faced durability challenges because the materials degrade when exposed to rain, humidity and high temperatures.
“Nigerian researchers are already working on improving the stability of perovskite materials so they can withstand environmental conditions.
“This is the type of research government should actively support because it has the potential to transform energy access across the country, especially in rural communities,” he said.
Abimbola further said that AI could accelerate research into developing more durable perovskite materials by complementing human expertise with advanced computational analysis.
In spite of the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, Abimbola said inadequate infrastructure and funding continued to hinder research and development in Nigerian universities.
He said although some institutions had benefited from government-supported solar power projects, critical research infrastructure remained insufficient.
“Power supply has improved in some universities through solar energy, which is commendable.
“However, reliable internet connectivity, dedicated high-performance computing facilities and modern laboratory equipment are still lacking.
“For advanced scientific research, you need uninterrupted electricity for specialised computers that may have to run continuously for weeks while processing complex models.
“Our laboratories are still poorly equipped. We largely teach rather than conduct cutting-edge research because the facilities required are simply not available,” he said.
Abimbola urged government to increase investment in research infrastructure, advanced computing facilities and scientific equipment to enable Nigerian scientists to fully leverage emerging technologies and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He said sustained funding for research and innovation would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to address challenges in areas such as energy, climate forecasting, environmental management and advanced materials development.(NAN)http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Uche Anunne