BY IKENNA ASOMBA

Poor enrolment in science and engineering-based programmes in tertiary institutions has been identified as the bane of technological development in Nigeria.

This was one of the submissions made by educationists who gathered at the 2nd National Conference of the School of Sciences, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos.

At the conference, the dons explained that high emphasis on publications, rather than development- oriented research, coupled with poor funding and incentives have resulted in low technological development in Nigeria. This is even as they argued that science, technology and innovation, are the three major pillars on which every society can rely in solving its developmental challenges.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the conference,  “it was majorly held that the delay in harnessing and implementing results of scientific and technological research, has largely contributed to cyclical under-development in the country. The renewed efforts and commitments of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who is fervently promoting the adoption of scientific approaches to the nation’s food security problems is a commendable development that should be encouraged, sustained and further strengthened; the statement buttressed.”

Amongst other issues, the communiqué submitted that commercialization of research findings should be encouraged, as well as funding of commercialized research in a sustainable way to create jobs, whilst salvaging the rising youth and graduate unemployment in the country..

“There should be commitment to science and technology on the part of the nation’s policymakers by linking science with policy-making. Policy makers, politicians, and scientists must work together,” it added.

In her remarks, the Rector, YABATECH, Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Ladipo declared that “in an increasing globalised world, high level of investment in research and innovation, is essential for economic competitiveness and technological growth which makes tangible improvement to quality of lives in  Nigeria.”