FG urged to fast-track passage, implementation of national policy on nanotechnology

The Federal Government has been urged to fast-track the passage and implementation of the National Policy on nanotechnology research and development, coordinated by the Ministry of Science and Technology through the National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology.

This was one of the submissions of participants at the end of a three-day workshop/conference on ‘Nanotechnology Applications In Africa: Opportunities And Constraints’ by Lautech Nanotechnology Research Group (Nano+), held at Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

In a communiqué jointly signed by Head of Research Group, Prof. A. Lateef and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr. M.A. Azeez, the participants said sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria should key into nanotechnology initiatives as a strategy towards improving her socio-economic development and the transformation of important sectors, underscoring the need for prioritisation of funding of nanotechnology research by TETFund and other funding agencies.

It suggested that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology should replicate the initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa by funding nanotechnology research in its budget, while private sector players should also invest in the funding of researches.

They also said the safety evaluation of engineered nanomaterials should be explored for studies in institutions, in the emerging sub-field of nanotoxicity and nanotoxicology to evolve means of mitigating the possible negative impacts of nanomaterials in the environment.

The participants requested the establishment of centre of excellence in the six geopolitical zones as well as synergy between the universities, industries and the government to turn output from nanotechnology researches into products that can be commercialised.

“LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research group (NANO+) deserves more supports from all and sundry to impact their experience more on the society. In fact, it was canvassed that a centre of excellence in nanotechnology should be established in LAUTECH to facilitate nanotechnology researches and leveraging on the group’s achievements for five years.”