News Agency of Nigeria
AUST pushes to bridge research–policy gap
Science & Tech

AUST pushes to bridge research–policy gap

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) on Wednesday in Abuja called for stronger efforts to bridge the gap between research and policy in Nigeria’s science and technology sector.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Conference on Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development, Mr Bosco Okolo-Obi, said this at a news conference ahead of the event.

The conference, being organised by the university in partnership with stakeholders, is scheduled for Oct. 21 to 23 in Abuja with the theme “Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development.”

Okolo-Obi said the lack of effective communication had limited the impact of scientific advances.

“Without effective translation of research into policies, products and public understanding, the knowledge economy Nigeria aspires to build will remain a distant dream.

“For the first time, we are bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, the media, educators and the public on a single platform to chart a new course.

“Our focus will be on breaking barriers of technical language, strengthening partnerships, training a new generation of science communicators, and advocating policies that institutionalise science communication in Nigeria,” he said.

He stressed that science and technology were universally acknowledged as engines of economic growth and social progress, with many nations already leading in health, agriculture, energy, digital transformation and industrialisation.

According to him, Nigeria has not been left behind in terms of research output, as universities and research institutes continue to produce ground-breaking findings.

“Yet, many of the discoveries remain locked away in technical journals, inaccessible to industries, policymakers and citizens who need them the most,” he added.

President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said the conference would help strengthen partnerships among stakeholders in the sector.

He said it was convened to change public perception about research in higher institutions and institutes, while ensuring that findings were used for business and government development purposes.

Onwualu added that the forum would amplify the importance of research and development by bringing findings to the forefront, while also promoting collaboration and commercialisation of outcomes to drive national progress. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Researchers detect pathogens, antibiotic resistant genes in aircraft toilets’ wastewater
Foreign

Researchers detect pathogens, antibiotic resistant genes in aircraft toilets’ wastewater

Toilets
Australian-led research suggests that wastewater from aircraft toilet could serve as an early warning system for the global spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) superbugs.

A statement released Monday by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, said the researchers analysed wastewater from 44 international flights to Australia from nine countries.

It added that the researchers detected nine high-priority pathogens and multiple antibiotic resistance genes.

Using advanced molecular techniques, the international team led by CSIRO, found a gene for resistance to last-resort antibiotics on 17 flights.

But it was absent from Australia’s urban wastewater, indicating likely introduction via international travel.

The study found five of the pathogens in all flight samples, with geographic variation in resistance levels.

Flights from Asia carried higher concentrations of resistance genes compared with those from Europe, it said.

“Aircraft wastewater captures microbial signatures from passengers across different continents, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective way to monitor threats like AMR,” said senior author Warish Ahmed, a principal research scientist from CSIRO.

The researchers confirmed that genetic material remained stable in aircraft toilet disinfectants for up to 24 hours, underlining the reliability of the method for surveillance.

AMR is expected to cause more than 39 million deaths globally by 2050, surpassing cancer, the authors said.

The author added that the study suggested aircraft wastewater monitoring could offer early warnings of superbug threats, similar to COVID-19 wastewater testing.

The research, detailed in Microbiology Spectrum published by the American Society for Microbiology, was conducted in partnership with Xiamen University in China.

The University of South Australia and Michigan Technological University in the United States also took part. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Cecilia Odey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Association applauds cybersecurity research excellence award winners for hard work  
Science & Tech

Association applauds cybersecurity research excellence award winners for hard work  

 

By Jessica Dogo

The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has applauded the winners of the 2025 National Cybersecurity Awards for their hard work and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

CSEAN’s President, Ade Shoyinka, who gave the commendation in a statement on Sunday also commended the National Information Technology

Development Agency (NITDA), for successfully organising the event’s maiden edition recently in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, with the theme: “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, security experts, and development partners.

It aimed to explore emerging cyber threats, close national vulnerabilities, and policies that support national security and sustainable digital development.

Shoyinka also lauded the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Office of the National Security Adviser for co-hosting the first National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC 2025) during which the awards were given.

While describing the maiden edition of the event as successful and progressive, Shoyinka congratulated all the winners for their outstanding contributions, which he noted would enhance the nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

“CSEAN received the Cyber Security Research Excellence Award given for the impactful research and Policy work.

“The CSEAN Research Team has produced several technical reports, National Cyber Threat Forecasts from 2022 to 2025, and Landscapes from 2022 to 2025 for use in national policy and cybersecurity preparedness.

“These resources are available to the public through the official CSEAN website for each individual’s use, be they stakeholders in the public or private sector,” he said.

He further explained that the CSEAN research team serves as managing editors for the peer-reviewed conference proceedings of a cyber-secure Nigeria, which document academic insights from past conference events.

According to him, the researches’ Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are available on the official conference website, adding that they demonstrate a strong commitment toward knowledge dissemination and academic discussion.

“NCSC 2025 is a significant advancement along Nigeria’s journey to a resilient, secure digital future, and innovative mindset, a culture of shared responsibility, and strategic coordination to protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem for current and future generations.

“As the NCSC 2025 comes to an end, Nigeria acknowledges the importance of a secure digital future and the role that innovation, shared responsibility, and national coordination have in ensuring resilience in the digital economy.

“The presentation of the Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award to CSEAN is a great reinforcement ahead of the CSEAN Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference on the 8th and 9th of October 2025, in Lagos State, Nigeria,” he said.

The Conference, “Digital Trust as National Capital: Enabling Secure, Inclusive Digital Economies”, aims to build on the momentum from NCSC 2025 to continue the conversation of innovation and trust in Nigeria’s digital space.

The association’s president said the Lagos conference would highlight CSEAN’s emerging role in influencing national conversations about cybersecurity and developing and providing inclusive, research-based, secure digital economy solutions.

He said: “As Nigeria further develops its digital transformation across critical sectors, threats to our digital infrastructure, economy, and citizens have expanded in size and complexity.

“NCSC 2025 represents a coordinated national effort to enhance the security of Nigeria’s critical systems and people in an ever-evolving digital landscape through resilience building, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across the national cyber ecosystem.

“It also demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity framework consistent with best practices globally and was powered by QNA.” (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Alausa inaugurates research committee, targets N50m grant for tertiary education
General News

Alausa inaugurates research committee, targets N50m grant for tertiary education

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a high-powered Ministerial Committee that will drive the commercialisation of research outputs from the country’s tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, while inaugurating the Research and Innovation Commercialisation Committee (RICC) in Abuja on Wednesday, said the initiative would bridge the gap between academia and industry.

This, he said, would also turn homegrown research into commercially viable products and services.

The minister added said the development aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of transitioning Nigeria from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one.

“Nations that have achieved sustainable development and global competitiveness have done so by investing in knowledge creation and, more importantly, in effective commercialisation of research outputs,” he said.

Alausa explained that the ministry, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), had already rolled out several impactful projects to boost research, including the provision of central multipurpose laboratories, alternative energy for campuses and medical simulation centres.

Acknowledging that in spite of vibrant academic community and decades of groundbreaking research, the country still struggles to scale innovations into real-world solutions.

He said “the weak link between academia and industry has limited our ability to reap the enormous benefits of research. This committee will serve as a strategic bridge between both worlds.

“The commercialisation of research outputs will not only generate revenue for institutions and researchers but will also enhance Nigeria’s self-reliance, improve the innovation index, and attract international investments,” Alausa noted.

The minister also announced a N50 million Student Grant Venture Capital Initiative to support scaling student-led enterprises in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

According to him, the scheme will be anchored by TETFund in partnership with the Bank of India.

“This will target undergraduate students in 300-level and above with viable business models and innovations ready for market expansion.

“We have hundreds of thousands of young geniuses across our institutions. This fund is designed to unlock their potential and help them build globally competitive enterprises,” the minister said.

Responding, the Committee Chairman, Dr Tayo Aduloju, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), outlined the RICC as “a matter of national urgency.”

Aduloju noted that Nigeria’s research investment as a percentage of GDP is among the lowest when compared to peer nations.

He added that “if Mr President’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy is to truly drive transformation, then innovation capital must lead the charge.

“The private sector has been disconnected for too long. We are committed to building institutional linkages that last beyond this Committee’s lifespan.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was chaired by Aduloju.

Other members are Prof. Ibrahim Katampe, Dr Umar Bindir, Prof. Sydney Ibeanusi, Dr Detoun Ogwu, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the Bank of Industry, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and Nigerian universities, among others. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

FG deploys technology in boundary management
Metro

FG deploys technology in boundary management

By Philip Yatai

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) says it is entrenching the use of research, technology including drone, in boundary management

The Director-General, Mr Adamu Adaji, stated this on Sunday in Abuja, while assessing the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration after two years in office.

Adaji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the commission had advanced from analogue systems to digital and electronic systems in boundary management.

He said with the support of President Tinubu, the commission had made significant progress in managing Nigeria’s boundary issues.

“For those of us who are into the profession of mapping and surveying, we now know that we have advanced from the usual analog system to electronic system.

“Now, we have satellite imaging, aerial mappings and drones and with these modern technology, you can assess areas that ordinarily would have been difficult, if you were to go on foot.

“So, we’re really embracing technology,” he said.

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to tap into available technology to get adequate and real time data for efficient definition of boundaries.

The D-G also said that research was assisting significantly with data gathering to support the delineation of internal and international boundaries, including maritime boundaries.

He added that the commission’s Research and Policy Analysis Department was equipped to provide relevant data for decision making for effective management of the country’s boundaries.

“Going forward, we will capitalise on Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to deepen the adoption of technology and research in the definition and demarcation of internal and international boundaries.

“This, in the long run, will bring the dividends of democracy to the people, especially those living in border communities

“We are going to emphasise on the physical definition of these boundaries, particularly those areas that we have resolved.

“Thank God, we have improved budgetary provisions that will enable us to double our efforts in boundary demarcation and organise workshops to sensitise people to how to manage boundaries,” he said.

Adaji further noted the difficulty in accessing some boundary locations, but expressed confidence that with modern technology, the commission would overcome some of the challenges. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Bingham Varsity VC tasks scholars on interdisciplinary research, dialogue
Education

Bingham Varsity VC tasks scholars on interdisciplinary research, dialogue

By Blessing Ibegbu

Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has called on scholars to play a vital role in encouraging interdisciplinary research, dialogue and collaborations to address the root cause of conflicts.

Ayuba made the call at the maiden International Conference on ‘Political Instability and Crisis of Development in Africa (PICDA) on Friday in Karu.

The theme of the conference is: “Cultural Pluralism, Conflict, Crisis of Integration and Development in Africa.”

The conference  was organised by the Department of Political Science of the university.

Ayuba said that the conference was aimed at addressing political instability and the crisis of development on the African continent.

According to him, the theme underscored the intricate dynamics of our continent’s diversity, as well as the need for inclusive strategies that foster unity, peace and sustainable development.

He said the time was ripe for every individual to work together to develop homegrown solutions to Africa’s challenges.

“In terms of cultural pluralism, Africa is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions, with over 3,000 ethnic groups and a multitude of linguistic diversities.

“Our continent is a melting pot of identities and cultural pluralism should therefore be our greatest strength, one that enriches our societies, promotes social cohesion and encourages creative and economic challenges.

“Unfortunately, historical legacies of colonialism, governance challenges, weak institutions, corruption, among others have contributed to political instability in the continent,” he said.

Ayuba said that the current instability in the form of widespread protests, civil wars, and coup d’etats illustrate the nuances and varied experiences across the African continent.

“All this stifles human development, perpetuates cycles of poverty, hampers economic growth, development and exacerbates divisions leading to heightened tensions, secessionist movements prolonged conflict development in Africa.

“In spite of these challenges, all hope is not lost. We must commend the resilience and agency of African nations.

“There are stories of success and innovation in some African countries that inspire our hope of achieving political stability and sustainable development in Africa,“`he said.

He said that some recommended pathways to stability and development require promotion of good governance, institutional reforms, fostering inclusive political processes and upholding the rule of law,” he added.

Also speaking, Prof. Mohammed Salih, International Institute for Social Studies, Hague, Netherlands, in a keynote address, said the conference was aimed at tackling the challenges confronting these turbulent times.

According to him, we live at a time when politics and development are experiencing relentless crises.

He said that politics from the global to the national is increasingly infused with extremism, populism, and exclusionism.

Salih said they are sources of conflict over resources, identity, power, and regularly used as instruments of dominance over others,” he said.

Prof. Adebayo  Olukoshi, Lead presenter, Institute of Governance, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa, said Ayuba  and Salih`s  addresses seems as if  there was probably a lot that had been lost as a community of scholars in  two or three decades.

He said that the capacity to dispassionately dissect the challenges confronting our country, and continent in a manner that was forward~looking and progressive seems to have diminished.

“Considerably, reflecting in many ways a certain loss of faith in the ideals of nations and in the ideals of Pan-Africanism.

“These are issues that are important to confront because they are themselves indicative of perhaps a deeper crisis in our nation-building and development experience that needs to be corrected,” he said.

“It is not that there is something that is peculiar about us as Africans or as black people or as Nigerians, that means that we should necessarily suffer some of those challenges and problems which we are grappling with.

“They are products of very specific historical conditions and processes, which some of our mentors and pioneers of African political science actually went into in some ways to try to understand,” he added.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Amb. Bulus Lolo Centre for Diplomacy, Conflict, Security and Plural Studies and the presentation of award of excellence to Olukoshi. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

FG backs agricultural research reform
Agriculture

FG backs agricultural research reform

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural research system through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

The fund plays an important role in addressing challenges within the sector and driving innovation for sustainable development.

This was stated in a release signed by the Communications Lead of the fund, Nike Babalola, during the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, commended NADF for conducting a comprehensive Baseline Survey and Needs Assessment Study of 16 Agricultural Research Institutes and 17 Federal Colleges of Agriculture across the country.

He emphasised that any country that fails to reform its research system is wasting its time.

The minister stressed the need to prioritise continuous improvement in the nation’s agricultural research capabilities.

He noted that the last comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agricultural research system was conducted during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari.

The minister also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the assessment, describing it as a step towards achieving world-class standards in agricultural research.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammed Ibrahim, reaffirmed the fund’s mandate to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

“No nation has ever achieved greatness without investing in knowledge, discovery, and innovation.

“The baseline survey provided critical insights into the state of Nigeria’s agricultural research and training institutions.

“NADF was established to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture and food systems, with the goal of promoting sustainable development and food security,” he stated.

Ibrahim described the validation exercise as a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“This is not just another meeting; it is an opportunity to lay the foundation for a stronger, more innovative agricultural sector.

“We believe in the power of research and education to transform our agricultural landscape.

“This is a call to action to ignite change and create a future where Nigerian agriculture stands tall on the pillars of knowledge, technology, and innovation,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, reaffirmed NADF’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural research system.

“Today, we have a father and a mother who have come to deliver us from the shackles of inadequate facilities, infrastructure, and resources,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including government officials, researchers, and representatives from agricultural institutions.

The validation exercise marked a step in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural research system and aligning it with national and global priorities.

The survey, conducted by NADF in collaboration with the ARCN aimed to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and constraints within the country’s agricultural research and training ecosystem.

The key findings reveal urgent areas for improvement, including infrastructure, funding, curriculum enhancement, research support, technological integration, and industry linkages. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research
Education

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research

By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has presented a total of N5.450 million in grants to six undergraduate students from different departments in the university for research projects.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi presented the cheque to the students at the 6th Undergraduate Research Day organised by the Centre for Undergraduates Research on Tuesday in Abuja.

The research day has its theme as: Promoting National Development Through Research.

Maikudi said that the event was an important platform that underscores the critical role of research in driving national development.

She said that UniAbuja was committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, creativity flourishes, and innovation leads to solutions for societal challenges.

“This commitment aligns perfectly with our theme, Promoting National Development Through Research, which calls for purposeful inquiry and actionable outcomes.

“As undergraduates, you are the next generation of thought leaders and change-makers.

“Your involvement in research today prepares you not only for academic excellence but also for contributing meaningfully to our nation’s growth.

“Whether it is in addressing health challenges, advancing technology, enhancing governance, or ensuring sustainability, the solutions to our greatest national issues lie in the quality of ideas that emerge from platforms like this,” she said.

The vice chancellor said that the purpose of the research was not just to acquire knowledge but to transform it into progress for society.

She encouraged all participants to engage actively, collaborate effectively, and think boldly.

Maikudi said the university would continue to sponsor the students, saying there was a need to catch them young.

She advised the researcher to use the money for the purpose which it was meant for.

The VC commended the centre and staff who mentored the students for their dedication to nurturing young minds and providing them with the tools to tackle real-world problems.

Similarly, the Director, Centre for Undergraduates Research, Prof. Taibat Atoyebi said the centre was established to promote research and create opportunities for undergraduate students across all departments in the university.

Atoyebi said the centre has helped students achieve and nurture their research potentials by building and developing their research skills to find solutions to the challenges plaguing the society.

According to her, for a student to be eligible for grant, the student’s research must be original, acceptable, practicable, sustainable and mentored.

She said that the researches were expected to cover areas such as; economic prosperity, food security, educational opportunity, quality health, climate change, environmental protection, among others.

The director said the goal of the centre was to foster growth that would have a lasting impact on our immediate community.

She explained that in preparation for the research day, twenty groups of students expressed interest in the centre’s research grant.

“Thirteen teams were shortlisted to submit research proposals, and were given the opportunity to orally defend their proposals. Six research proposals scaled through and are being presented today.

“A total of N5.45 million is the total grant being awarded. We are currently receiving applications and proposals from interested groups of students for the next batch of grants.

“We have modified our criteria to include sustainable development goals (SDGs), that is our student researches must directly be traced to any of the SDGs and must be able to solve our pertinent societal needs, ” she said.

She said that research output from the proposal of the 6th research would be presented during the 7th research day in the second semester.

She thanked the vice chancellor for her support to the centre and also the mentors for their dedication.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of the cheque to the six researchers. (NAN)

Edited by Peter Amine

ASRIC urges African scientists to lay foundations for new scientific era
Science & Tech

ASRIC urges African scientists to lay foundations for new scientific era

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC), Prof.  Sammy Chumbow, has urged African scientists to lay foundations for a new science and technology era using innovation and research.

Chumbow made the call on Friday in his closing remarks at the 7th ASRIC Congress in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

He said the transition into a scientific era as Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024 has ended and Africa was set to adopt the policy strategy of STISA 2024.

Chumbow said, “The strategy aims to guide the continent’s STI development over the next decade.

“Therefore, African scientists should harness the power of science, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth, sustainable development, and global competitiveness.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that STISA-2024 is the first of the ten-year incremental phasing strategies to respond to demands for STI in different sectors.

They include:  Agriculture, energy, environment, health and security, among others.

STISA-2034 will build on the successes of its predecessor, STISA-2024, and address emerging challenges and opportunities in Africa’s STI landscape.

STISA-2034 was validated by the African stakeholders in STI in November 2024 and will be endorsed at the AU Summit in February 2025.

The chairman stated that this development marked a significant milestone in Africa’s quest to harness the power of science which should be tapped into by African scientists.

Chumbow added that the strategy would reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of African countries, which should foster a united approach by African scientists to STI development on the continent.

He also called on the council’s Bureau to study the objectives and mandates of ASRIC guidelines so as to sharpen their focus on initiatives that produce continental and regional STI development.

Chumbow urged the bureau’s members not to lose touch with research institutions and university officials and to adopt the principles of focal point so as to make a difference in their fields.

The Executive Director, African Union Scientific and Technical Research Commission (AUSTRC) and ASRIC, Dr Ahmed Hamdy, in his closing remarks, said entering another transition period marks a major shift in innovations.

“Coming forward from where we are where the changes are so obvious, entering a period of major transition globally. We are facing several challenges spanning from climate change, emerging diseases among others.

“Let us as scientists look at each of these challenges separately to have a better understanding of how best we can tackle them using STI,’’ he said.

Hamdy said that the challenges of global change required a transition not only in society but also in the scientific community which scientists should rise up to.

“Global change poses unprecedented challenges to scientific and policy communities, a kind that cannot be tackled using existing conceptual frameworks and methods.

“They are likely to change how we live and relate with each other and scientists should rise to the occasion,’’ he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

ASRIC chair urges members to commit 1% GDP to research, dev’t
Foreign

ASRIC chair urges members to commit 1% GDP to research, dev’t

Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Chairman of African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC), Prof. Sammy Chumbow, has called on governments of African member states to commit 1 per cent of their nations’ GDP to fund research and development.

Chumbow, the President of Cameroon Academy of Sciences, made the call on Wednesday in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in an acceptance speech after emerging as the chairman of ASRIC, making him the third elected chairman of the council.

The newly elected ASRIC chair stated that African leaders ought to devote more resources and funds to the development of Science, Technology and Innovation in their countries.

NAN reports that Chumbow, a national of Cameroun, contested with representatives from Senegal and Zimbabwe and he emerged as chairman of ASRIC with 15 votes from 22 voting member countries.

He said that science and technology policies, which would improve research and innovation across the continent, called for cooperation among scientists in the continent.

Chumbow promised to work with the team of ASRIC Assistant Chairs to ensure African countries invest in capacity building.

He called for improvements in the area of innovation policy development and promotion of regional innovation policy.

Chumbow also pledged to use his office to follow through with implementing the policy document of STISA-2024 and address the aspirations identified under the Agenda 2063.

Emphasising the need for increased funding for Research and Development (R&D), he added that funding  for R&D was geared towards long-term success in any economy.

“The reality of insufficient funding has never been more apparent than during the recent Coronavirus Pandemic.

“African countries must increase their spending on STI to at least 1% of their national budgets to achieve success that can place Africa on the global map,’’ the chairman said.

Chumbow also stressed the need for capacity building for researchers and potential innovators in the continent.

According to him, increased investment in Science, Engineering and Entrepreneurship skills training would improve R&D outputs.

He said, “Capacity building would address low science infrastructure in African countries and ensure progress in the area of STI in Africa.”

Prof. Ekanem Braide, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS) also recommended approaching NGO’s, funding agencies dedicated to funding both public and private R&D to improve ASRIC’s activities.

She stated that funding played a key role in the implementation of ASRIC innovative activities.

“At the regional level, we need to approach and dialogue with African regional bodies, NGO’s, INGO’s to also invest in developing regional innovation strategies.

“This is so ASRIC can pursue and achieve its mandates and implement its flagship projects such as the impactful hepatitis project and other projects,” she said.

NAN reports that the winners of the first, second, third and fourth Vice Chairs of ASRIC were: Prof. Vasey Mwaja, Prof. Francis Agyeni, Dr Thabile Ndolovu and Prof. Khaled Ghedira, respectively. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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