By Amaka Abayomi

The Director, Federal Science Equipment Centre, Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Mathew Ndu, has said that Nigeria’s quest to achieve global competitiveness in sciences may not be realised except proper attention is paid to the development of laboratories.

Speaking at a five-day capacity building workshop for laboratory technicians in secondary schools held at Ijanikin, Lagos, Ndu said there is no way the country can produce well-rounded professionals in science if there are no laboratories to back up theoretical works in schools.

He said: “For products of our secondary schools and universities to match their counterparts in other climes, especially in the sciences, a lot needs to be done in the development and use of laboratories.”

Pointing out that the non-existence of well-trained personnel to manage equipment such as microscopes, chemicals among others as another major challenge facing the development of laboratories in schools, the Director said the essence of the workshop is to build up the knowledge of laboratory technicians to enable them effectively run laboratories in their respective schools.