By Raji Rasak

Mr Mathew Ogieva, a U.S.-based Nigerian and visionary in geoscience and data innovation, has continued to leave an indelible mark on global Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) advancement.

Ogieva, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, said he served as Grand Award Judge at the 75th Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

NAN reports that the 75th ISEF was held from May 10 to May 17 in Columbus, Ohio, the world’s largest annual STEM competition for pre-college students.

It is an annual science fair in the United States, owned and sponsored by the Society for Science, a non-profit organisation based in Washington DC.

By Ibukun Emiola

Prof. Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), says strong ethical frameworks and inclusive global standards will prevent Artificial Intelligence (AI) from further widening global inequalities.

Knobel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that ethical considerations must be embedded from the outset of AI development, especially to protect marginalised communities in developing countries.

“There’s a significant risk that AI systems can worsen existing inequalities if deployed without assessing their social impacts,” he said.

He listed algorithmic bias, data sovereignty, and personal data protection as top ethical concerns, noting that researchers in the global South need both tools and training to manage AI responsibly.

Knobel says TWAS aligns with UNESCO’s ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence’, which promotes human rights, justice, and environmental sustainability.

He stated that data privacy must be maintained through strong governance frameworks, anonymisation, and informed consent processes that are sensitive to cultural and local contexts.

“TWAS can promote data sovereignty by expanding training on data governance and advocating equitable international research collaborations,” he said.

He warned that current AI governance frameworks were fragmented and underrepresented, creating regulatory inconsistencies and power imbalances.

“Finding this balance requires institutions to integrate ethical considerations from the earliest stages of AI development, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

“This means involving diverse stakeholders—including representatives from communities that might be affected by these technologies—in the planning and development process.

“Institutions should establish clear governance structures that provide oversight without stifling innovation.

“This might include ethics review boards with expertise in AI applications, mandatory impact assessments before deployment of new tools, and ongoing monitoring of AI systems to identify unintended consequences,” Knobel said.

According to him, transparency is also crucial, both in how AI systems function and in acknowledging their limitations.

He stated that scientists and research institutions must be willing to pause development when ethical concerns arise and redirect efforts when necessary.

“Finally, capacity building around ethical AI should be prioritised, especially in developing countries.

“By equipping scientists worldwide with the knowledge to evaluate AI systems critically, we can ensure that innovation proceeds responsibly across all contexts.

“Additionally, many current approaches focus narrowly on specific applications rather than establishing foundational principles that can adapt to emerging capabilities.

“We need flexible frameworks that can evolve alongside the technology, while maintaining core ethical commitments,” Knobel said.

He said that TWAS was preparing to join global AI governance coalitions and consulting fellows to develop policy positions that reflect the unique priorities of the global South.

“We are mapping international initiatives and identifying entry points where our network can contribute meaningfully, particularly in areas like climate adaptation, public health, and education,” Knobel said.

He also announced that TWAS would be holding a high-level roundtable on AI ethics during its General Conference in Brazil in September. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso and Moses Solanke

By Esenvosa Izah

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has urged policymakers, developers, parents, and educators to collaborate with it to establish ethical guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital content tailored for children.

It also called for robust child-specific cyber security frameworks, and truly inclusive innovation spaces that leave no child behind.

The minister, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, made the call at a Kids Tech Fest, the first AI Summit for Children in Africa, held on Saturday in Lagos.

The summit was organised by a company, Digital Equity Africa in collaboration with the ministry and other partners.

Ibrahim was represented by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Johnathan Eze.

She, however, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for children to thrive, especially as they delved into what she described as, “the exciting world of AI.

“As our children wholeheartedly embrace AI, robotics, and other digital solutions, we, as their guardians, must also keep pace, ensuring their safety and mental well-being.

“Let us collectively reaffirm our pledge to invest deeply in our children’s safety, education, and dreams.

“Together, we can build a society where technology serves as a powerful tool for inclusion, and childhood remains a place of safety, wonder, and boundless opportunity,” Ibrahim said.

Also speaking, an Ambassador, Master of Technology Advisor at the African Union, Ms Lavina Ramkissoon, said that adopting and driving AI in Africa would require a bold vision.

According to her, the political, parental and teaching will need to be aligned to ensuring Africa can actually achieve driving AI.

“Children do not lack the imagination; it is us, from the adult’s perspective, that need more alignment within ourselves and we have got to act faster.

“Policies need to be put in place – from internet usage, child protection, human rights – these need to play a larger voice and role, “ she said.

Ramkissoon said that Africa needed to begin to plan for AI rights for the furture.

According to her, AI has to have its own set of rights to function within the society, because it is going to be embedded in the society.

“Can we see between 10 years and 15 years, having humanoids in our workforce?

“Are we equipping our managers and leaders to be able to have the ability to manage humanoids within the workforce?

“There is a lot more of thinking that we need to curtail toward, “ the ambassador said.

In her remarks, the Convener, Kids Tech Fest, Mrs Justina Nnamoha, said the event was put together to start to raise the right kind of awareness among parents and educators regarding the Nigerian child.

Nnamoha said: “I think that it is really critical to answer the question of relevance, and if we will be able to dominate the global landscape, talent-wise, in the next couple of years.

“Also, the relevance of our children and how much we bring them up to speed with the advancement of AI.

“Also, doing this in a safe way in our own context as Africans is really important.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had in attendance,  children between six years and 16 years from over 200 schools across the state.

NAN also reports that panel discussions were centred around child safety; introducing children to AI and specific workshops were put together for the children to learn about AI and the possibilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has urged African businesses to leverage the rapidly expanding space economy projected to hit 1 trillion dollars annually by 2030 to enhance their global fortunes.

Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of NASRDA, made the call on Friday in a news conference ahead of the second edition of the Africa Space Economy Conference and Exhibition (ASEC 2025) in Abuja.

Expected to hold between June 17 and 19, in collaboration with Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the conference would have its theme as “Space Economy and Emerging Markets in Africa.”

Adepoju said the global space economy was at the verge of exceeding 500 billion dollars annually, which he described was the fastest-growing economic sector in the world.

He also said the space sector presented immense opportunities for African businesses to innovate, invest and generate significant returns.

“This is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Africa must not be left behind.

“It is time for us to take our rightful place at the forefront of global innovation, science and technology, with space technology being the pinnacle of human endeavour.

“The space economy is the fastest growing economic sector in the world and it is projected to hit one trillion dollars per annum. Currently it’s more than 500 billion dollars annually,” he said.

Adepoju said the conference would create the platform for interface among industry players, the academia and research institutions to support the Nigerian space ecosystem.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu for his visionary economic reforms and support for transformative sectors.

He said Tinubu had given a clear mandate to turn the Nigerian space agency into a revenue-generating platform for the country.

Adepoju said NASRDA, therefore, was committed to full commercialisation and industrialisation of space research.

He said the ASEC would serve as a dynamic platform where the academia, industry and research institutions would engage to chart pathways for the growth of the Nigeria’s space industry.

“The second edition of this conference will be a significant improvement on the first.

“We are already receiving confirmations from participants across the globe, including China, the United States, Europe and various African countries.

“This shows growing interest and belief in the African space sector,” he added.

He said part of the efforts being put in place to develop the ecosystem included the impending launch of four satellites, three optical and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites.

According to him, the satellites will enhance national security, environmental monitoring and economic surveillance, particularly in the blue economy, oil and gas sector.

He said the space sector presented viable investment opportunities in satellite technology, data services, rocketry, and space-based applications.

He, therefore, urged private sector players in Africa to be key stakeholders in the emerging trillion-dollar industry.

“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and we have many of our citizens consuming space products and services.

“This is the time for Nigerian and African businesses to build capacity and invest locally and retain value,” Adepoju said.

Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of ACCI, represented by Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of ACCI, said that Africa was lagging in harnessing the potential of space economy.

“We face challenges such as limited awareness, infrastructure deficits, evolving policy frameworks and these hurdles present fertile ground for innovation, collaboration and investment.

“It was with this foresight that ACCI, through our Policy Advocacy Centre, in a strategic partnership with NASRDA, conceptualised the ASEC,” he said.

He said the conference would explore how space-based technologies could drive economic diversification, strengthen critical infrastructure and support sustainable development across Africa.

Dr Haruna Mohammed, co-Chairman, Organising Committee for the conference, said it was targeted at the private sector.

Mohammed also urged private sector to leverage business opportunities in the space economy, adding that it encompassed the social, political, digital economies, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Sylvester Thompson

The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) says that biotechnology is not just about providing food security and revolutionalising healthcare, but also charting the course of international trade and diplomacy.

Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of the BSN, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

She warned that any country that ignored modern biotechnology does so at its peril.

She disclosed that the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) had the mandate of promoting the technology in Nigeria.

Uzochukwu added that the NBRDA was also required to midwife the deregulation of biotechnology products after twenty years of consistent work with various partners.

According to her, challenges of population growth and climate change will continue to require bioengineering of plants to improve attributes such as drought resistance at a much larger scale.

She said conscious of the fact that genetic engineering could be used both for good and for bad just like electricity and airplanes, the Federal Government set up the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

The Professor of Food Science and Biotechnology noted that it was required by international treaty that a regulator should be set up, and the NBMA was to ensure safety of biotechnology products.

“I call on the NBMA that regulation of new products of biotechnology should become more and more product-based rather than process-based.

“What this means is that the agency should concentrate on the safety of the product, irrespective of how it was made,’’ Uzochukwu said.

She assured that since the NBMA has been mandated to ensure safety of genetically engineered food products before commercial release, there should, therefore, be no cause for alarm among the populace.

“The worry of some Nigerians is that apart from personnel costs, these agencies are largely left to fend for themselves and rely on donor funds for the actual execution of their mandates.

“Now that donors are withdrawing funds from projects, it is hoped that our governments will channel funds to science and technology,’’ she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare