The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has assured the university community of Federal Government’s (FG) commitment to nanotechnology research and development in Nigeria.
Onu gave the assurance at the 4th annual workshop/conference on Nanotechnology organised by Lautech Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+), where he appreciated the interface between the university community and the ministry.
He, therefore, reiterated the ministry’s support for the establishment of a centre of excellence in nanotechnology at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Lautech).
According to Onu, for Nigeria to fast track development of the economy and her people, there must be synergy between the universities, governmental agencies and the industry.
He stated that the theme of the conference ‘Human Existence and Resource Utilization: Extending the Frontiers through Nanotechnology’ is apt and appropriately chosen to underscore the challenges facing mankind, and the need to deploy innovative solutions.
“Nanotechnology, as an innovative technology of 21st century has the potentials to solve the problems of energy crisis, water and sanitation, environmental degradation, security threat, climate change, food security and safety, and healthcare.
“It is the technology of the future that would open new vistas of knowledge-based economy, developments in robotics and autonomous systems; value-addition to existing processes,innovative products and services,” said Onu, who was represented by Mfon Bassey, the director of chemical technology, federal ministry of science and technology.
Professor of Microbiology and head, NANO+ Group, Agbaje Lateef, in a communique issued at the end of the conference said Nanotechnology must be embraced by all as a veritable tool in achieving the United Nation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
The group also posited that researchers in nanotechnology must embrace innovative ideas, product development and commercialization at ensuring that the citizenry and the society benefits from their investigations.
According to Nano+ Group, researchers in the field of nanotechnology should continue to engage in collaboration among themselves and established scholars for cross-fertilization of ideas, and establishing relationship that can foster developments in the field of nanotechnology for the country.
