Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a plant breeder and environmental biosafety expert, says science can accelerate Nigeria’s socioeconomic progress by raising productivity, creating jobs and improving public services.
Akinbo said this in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja.
He said science could help Nigeria build a skilled workforce capable of developing and adapting modern technologies.
He added that stronger scientific capacity would also support economic diversification by strengthening agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and the digital economy.
“Science is a multiplier; it makes every sector more efficient, resilient and capable of generating wealth and jobs at scale,” he said.
Akinbo said agriculture could benefit from improved seeds, soil science, pest control, irrigation and post-harvest technologies that raise yields and reduce losses.
According to him, applying scientific innovations to farming would improve food security while increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening agricultural value chains.
He explained that science was equally critical to healthcare through vaccines, diagnostics, epidemiology and health-system research capable of reducing disease burdens and improving human productivity.
The expert said industrialisation could be accelerated through process engineering, materials science and quality control, enabling local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported products.
“Science can help Nigeria move from simply consuming technologies to designing, adapting and operating technologies suited to its own development needs,” he said.
On energy and environmental challenges, Akinbo said renewable energy technologies, grid optimisation and environmental science could reduce costs, improve reliability and minimise pollution.
He added that digital technologies, data science, information and communication technology and e-government could improve public services, transparency, taxation and business efficiency.
He advised that investment in science education and research and development could stimulate startups, patents and technology-driven small businesses, particularly creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
He noted that science-driven innovation could raise productivity across agriculture, industry and services while creating new industries, reducing import dependence and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Akinbo told reporters that improved scientific capacity could also enhance infrastructure and energy reliability, thereby lowering business costs and making the country more attractive to investment.
He urged stronger support for research, innovation and evidence-based policymaking, saying scientific knowledge could help government deploy public resources more efficiently.
“Science should not remain confined to laboratories and academic institutions; its value is realised when knowledge becomes practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen the economy,” Akinbo said.
He said sustained investment in science and technology would ultimately provide Nigeria with the capacity to address poverty, disease, food insecurity and environmental pressures while generating sustainable economic opportunities.
