The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) has called for stronger efforts to bridge the gap between research and policy in Nigeria’s science and technology sector.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the upcoming Conference on Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development, Mr. Bosco Okolo-Obi, stated this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
The conference, organised by AUST in collaboration with key stakeholders, is scheduled to hold from October 21 to 23 in Abuja with the theme: “Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development.”
Okolo-Obi noted that ineffective communication has limited the impact of scientific advances in Nigeria.
“Without effective translation of research into policies, products, and public understanding, the knowledge economy Nigeria aspires to build will remain a distant dream,” he said.
According to him, this will be the first time researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, the media, educators, and the public will be brought together 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,” Okolo-Obi added.
He explained that science and technology are universally acknowledged as engines of economic growth and social progress, noting that countries across the world have embraced science-driven development in areas such as health, agriculture, energy, digital transformation, and industrialisation.
While Nigeria continues to produce groundbreaking research outputs through its universities and research institutes, Okolo-Obi observed that many of these discoveries remain confined to technical journals and are largely inaccessible to industries, policymakers, and citizens who need them most.
Also speaking, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said the conference would focus on strengthening partnerships among stakeholders in the sector and changing public perception about research in higher institutions and research institutes.
He emphasised that the ultimate goal is to ensure that research findings are effectively applied for development purposes—whether in business or government.
Onwualu added that the conference would help amplify the importance of research and development in Nigeria by bringing findings to the forefront, while also facilitating collaboration and the commercialisation of research outcomes to drive science and technology development in the country.
