The Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) has called for increased investment in research, innovation and industry partnerships to translate scientific discoveries into industrial value.
CSN President, Prof. Rufus Sha’atu, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing society’s 49th Annual International Conference, Workshop and Exhibition.
The conference, themed “Innovative Chemistry for Sustainable Development and Responsible Care,” has attracted more than 1,200 participants from Nigeria and abroad.
Sha’atu said scientific discoveries would have limited impact if researchers could not move them beyond the laboratory into commercial and industrial applications.
“When researchers gather at a conference such as this, they share ideas and showcase their discoveries, but this is mostly at the laboratory scale.
“Developing beyond that level is what the organised private sector should invest in, and this is what is lacking in our nation. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said.
He said chemistry was central to food production, medicine, energy, clothing, transportation and other aspects of modern life.
According to him, chemistry contributes to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sha’atu said the society was promoting responsible chemistry, with emphasis on environmental sustainability, social safety and security.
He said CSN had introduced a Business Roundtable to expose young chemists to entrepreneurship and encourage the development of chemistry-based startups.
He also advocated the resolution of challenges surrounding the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, describing it as an important regulatory institution for chemistry professionals.
Sha’atu urged governments and the organised private sector to partner with CSN to strengthen the application of chemistry in healthcare, agro-processing and environmental management.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said chemistry remained central to the agency’s functions, including product evaluation, quality assurance, safety monitoring and enforcement.
Adeyeye urged researchers to develop local solutions and strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly through medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.
She called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government and regulatory agencies to improve access to affordable medicines and bridge the gap between research and commercialisation.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC was strengthening regulatory science, digitalising regulatory processes, accelerating registration pathways for priority medicines and enhancing pharmaceutical traceability while maintaining standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
In a keynote address, Prof. Goodwill Ofunne, Chairman of FISAS Group, said innovation in chemistry should focus on producing useful products while consuming fewer resources and generating less waste.
“The future belongs to chemists who embrace green chemistry — those who do more with less and innovate processes that promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility,” he said.
Ofunne said digitalisation, artificial intelligence-driven analysis, advanced catalysts, biodegradable polymers and low-carbon products were transforming the chemical industry.
He identified the oil and gas sector as an area where chemistry-based innovation could generate greater value for Nigeria.
According to him, petroleum chemistry was important in oilfield chemicals, crude separation, refinery processes, pipeline corrosion control and enhanced oil recovery.
Ofunne urged greater attention to gas utilisation and reduction of gas flaring, saying advances in hydrocarbon chemistry could support efficient resource use and reduce environmental impacts.
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, advocated closer collaboration among scientists, defence institutions, government agencies, industry and universities to address emerging security challenges.
Musa said the inclusion of forensic and advanced chemistry for national security, safety and justice delivery in the conference programme reflected the growing role of science and technology in national security.
“This reflects the growing role of science and technology, as well as specialised expertise and training, in strengthening national security, ensuring public safety and enhancing confidence in our institutions,” he said.
He urged universities and security institutions to explore research grants and collaborative programmes to translate scientific knowledge into practical security applications.
The conference also featured the election of new CSN national executives, including Dr Ebitimi Berezi as president-elect, Buba Usman Shanu as vice-president-elect, Kehinde Oisemaye as secretary-elect and Prof. Joseph Akan as membership secretary-elect.
Others elected were Isijaan Nkanta as publicity secretary-elect, Dr Frank Oteiva as assistant secretary-elect, Prof. Theresa Onuegbu as financial secretary-elect, and Dr Stella Nweze-Akpa as treasurer-elect.
Six other national deputy vice-presidents were also elected.
