FG urged to hasten 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.