Nigerian youths’ interest in sciences waning, says minister

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said his Ministry had discovered youths’ waning interest in the study of sciences and related courses.

Addressing young scientists during the final examination of the Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) in Abuja, the minister vowed that the ministry was determined to redress the situation through its ‘’Catching them Young’’ initiative.

Onu said YONSPA was the ministry’s deliberate programme to take sciences to the grassroots and encourage Nigerian youths to effectively participate in science and technology.

He noted that the programme was aimed at making Young Nigerians to develop interest in the sciences and mathematics early in life.

The essence of the initiative, the minister added, was to dispel fears among students who had the notion that the sciences were difficult subjects to study, assuring them that the future “is now bright for those who embrace career in Science, Technology and Innovation.”

He continued: ‘’ The programme will help them to explore the moon, heavenly bodies and ocean wealth in order to reduce poverty and contribute to solving major national regional and International programmes.’’

Onu used the occasion to further challenge Nigerian scientists to find cure for the dreaded Coronavirus (CONVID-19) which is currently rampaging many countries across the globe.
He urged the youths to strive to be solution providers by aiming high and dreaming big.

The minister told the participating students that the brilliant ones among them would be presented with a Presidential Award by President Muhammadu Buhari at the forthcoming fourth Technology and Innovation Expo holding in Abuja this month.

The best three students at the second and third editions of the programme are currently on scholarships up to a doctoral degree level