A Virologist, Prof Oyewale Tomori, has dropped the blame for the lack of development in Nigeria partly on the doorsteps of its Scientists, noting that they failed to proffer durable solutions to end the various socio-economic problems confronting the nation. He called on governments to pay more attention to research, science, and technology.
Tomori while speaking at the 8th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja on Thursday expressed sadness that 64 years after political independence, Nigeria was still crawling economically and had to often go to borrow from Western countries to service its yearly budgets.
Speaking on the theme “the Conflicting Confluence of Science and Society,” he said Science solves societal issues, improves the quality of life,answers questions that relate to mysteries of the universe, contributes to knowledge production, drives innovation and helps countries compete in the global economy and democracy.
The former vice chancellor of Redeemers’ University said the only way out of underdevelopment was through science and technology stressing that advanced countries who invested heavily in science reap the gains of development, prosperity, and food sufficiency while countries who refused to invest in science are reaping poverty, squalor, and diseases.
“No nation, except Nigeria, which has attempted to sidetrack developing science and technology and tailoring it to her needs. Nigeria has taken a shortcut by importing other people’s finished technology and calling it a transfer of technology. Nigeria imports complete knocked down parts of vehicles and appoints a Nigerian Executive Managing Director to oversee the screwing together of these parts. ”
While urging the federal government to invest heavily in science and technology, he also called on tertiary institutions in the country to make their various research works into workable documents for the government to use as a road map to enhance the development of the country.
He said the success of some research works is hampered by poor mentorship, studies not focused on solving national problems, insufficient adherence to merit in the assessment of research proposals, and misuse of research funds. He added that apathy and failure to make returns on received grants block the way to other grants.
He therefore urged the federal government to stop paying lip service to the issue of science and technology and deplore sufficient resources to provide appropriate technology to reduce poverty in the country.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi said, “The lecture
fundamentally aims to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity and rigorous academic discourse. By inviting eminent scholars and thought leaders to share their insights on pressing issues, we strive to bridge the gap between academia and society.
“These lectures are not merely academic exercises; they are opportunities for us to engage with new ideas, challenge our thinking, and inspire innovation and progress within our community.”
