Nigeria’s leading research group in nanotechnology, LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has slated 20-23 November, 2023 for its 7th annual international conference on nanotechnology.
This year’s theme is “Nanotechnology in the 4th industrial revolution: opportunities for emerging economies” and it will be organized jointly with National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Abuja.
The Head of the Research Group, Prof. Agbaje Lateef, said the conference will be hosted by NASRDA at her Lugbe headquarters, Abuja under the chairmanship of the acting Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Prof. Rom O. R. Kalilu, while the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony on November 21, 2023.
He said, in a statement, that the conference, will be co-chaired and hosted by the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Halilu A. Shaba, while the Director of Chemical Technology in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, who doubles as the Chairman, National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology Policy Development, Mfon E.J. Bassey will co-host the conference.
The conference, which will be attended by scholars, policy makers, members of armed forces, students and the private sector will discuss advances of nanotechnology in the fourth industrial revolution and the opportunities that can be explored by developing countries such as Nigeria in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, environment, security and defence for sustainable development.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu will give the keynote address, while several internationally recognized scholars will deliver papers at plenary. It is expected that the gathering will be addressed by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki; Executive Secretary, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, and Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Professor Ayo Omotayo, among other top functionaries of government.
It will be recalled that the group’s 6th International Conference on Nanotechnology hosted by NASRDA in November 2022 was attended by the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Olorunnibe Adeleke Mamora who commended the exploits of LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group.
The minister underscored the importance of nanotechnology to national development, and promised the continuous support of the ministry for the activities of the group.
The LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group has put nanotechnology discourse at the front burners in Nigeria making giant contributions in research, publications, product development, training and advocacy.
The group has been organizing workshops and conferences on nanotechnology since 2017 and the members from different disciplines have published more than 160 articles on nanotechnology since inception in 2014. The group has been commended by the University for contributing enormously to the outstanding ranking of LAUTECH by different national and international organizations.
In his words, Lateef on behalf of the group thanked all the collaborators of the group including NASRDA and Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology for supporting the group’s activities.
He reiterated the need to support the group in the establishment of a centre of excellence in nano-science and nanotechnology to further promote nanotechnology R&D in Nigeria.
He stated the readiness of the group to collaborate with governmental agencies and the private sector in realizing this lofty goal. He also called on the Federal Government to finalize the passage of National Policy on Nanotechnology in Nigeria, stating that the lack of the policy is stifling research and development in Nanotechnology in the country.