Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, has advised the Federal Government to prioritise investment in translational research and innovation to address challenges threatening human existence.
Adebayo gave the advice during the opening of the institution’s First International Conference and Research Showcase on Science, Technology and Innovation on Tuesday in Ota.
The conference had the theme: ”Science, Technology and Innovation for Translational Research and Sustainable Development”.
The two-day conference was organised by the institution’s College of Science of Technology.
The vice-chancellor listed some of the challenges threatening human existence to include climate change, environmental degradation, water scarcity, hunger, diseases, and poverty.
He said that the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations had remained povital to global clarion calls and efforts to address existential threats to humanity.
Adebayo urged the Federal Government to support researchers and create enabling environment for translational research to thrive and solve problems.
“There is the need for Federal Government and African countries to prioritise investment in research engagements, infrastructure development and capacity building for sustainable development.
“It is time to re-focus and look for homegrown solutions in addressing our critical needs as a nation and continent,” he said.
He said that researchers and enterprises needed support from the government.
In a keynote address, Prof. Martins Emeje described translational research as the multi-step process of turning observation in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that would improve people’s lives and behaviours.
Emeje, the Director-General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, said that information sharing between researchers and institutions would enhance quality of research output.
“There is the need for strategic vision, system structure, policy formulation, priority setting, monitoring and evaluation, and setting of standards and ethical framework,” he said.
Prof. Timothy Anake, Dean of College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, said that Nigeria needed translational research to drive sustainable development and transform discoveries in fields such as health, agriculture and energy.
Anake said there was need for gathering of leaders, innovators and scholars to discuss the role of science and technology in transforming research into practical solutions that would address real world challenges.
Prof. Shalom Chinedu, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the conference, said that it focused on harnessing science, technology and innovation for accelerated and sustainable development.
Chinedu noted that the conference brought together the academia and the industry, researchers and policymakers as well as other key players in government and private sectors. (NAN)