Based on the Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+), utilizing nanomaterials would assist the government in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prof. Agbaje Lateef, the group’s leader, made the remarks on the sidelines of their 6th Annual Conference, which was hosted by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) in partnership with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
Held from Nov. 22 to 25, the conference was with the theme: “Nanotechnology for Socio-Economic Development of Africa”, and was targeted at Postgraduate students and early career scientists, researchers.
“Nanomaterials are exploited in all facets of human endeavours and the applications increase daily.
“There is the area of food and agriculture, health, industries, engineering, environment, security and defence, water, energy, sport, and consumer products services.
“They represent potent tools that can be used to deliver on the SDGs of the UN,” he said.
The impact of nanotechnology on economic development was huge, Lateef said.
According to him, with a projected value of $3 trillion in 2020 and the provision of around six million jobs, it is expected to contribute 10% of global GDP by 2030.
Lateef said: “Africa must not watch the unfolding scenario that nanotechnology presents because the time to act is now.”
He added that the NANO+ group, formed in 2014 had made contributions to promote nanotechnology Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria.
Lateef said that they had mentored students and academics in more than twenty universities and other institutions in Nigeria and beyond.
“We have expanded the outreach of nanotechnology discourse to students of primary and secondary schools.
“Members of NANO+ remain the most prolific in nanotechnology R&D in Nigeria having published more than 150 articles in various areas of nanotechnology since 2015.
“We have developed nano-based products, nanopaints, nanotextiles, nanopesticides, nanobiocides, nanofertilizers, nanoadsorbents, nanofilters,among others,” Lateef said.
He hoped that the government and related institutions would supplement their efforts and those of other sister research groups on nanotechnology.
Lateef further said they could be supported by providing them with policy guidelines on nanotechnology R&D in Nigeria and a dedicated capital to develop nanotechnology infrastructure.
He decried that Nigeria began the Nanomaterials development discussion with South Africa (SA) in 2006, but presently the country had moved to translational research.
“For us, as a nation, we need to move faster to benefit from the fruits of nanotechnology.
“Iran, despite all manners of sanctions, realised $550 million from nanotechnology enterprise in 2020, with a projection of $1 billion by 2025.
“I therefore call on the Federal Government to finalise the passage of the nanotechnology policy on nanotechnology, establish an agency to drive its Agenda for the country, and dedicate funds for its promotion and R&D.
“Establishment of centres of excellence in nanotechnology is germane to realise the lofty potential of the country,” Lateef said.
He did, however, encourage scientists to work together to expand the industry, stating that Nigerian scientists are capable of conducting nanotechnology research and development.
Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that works with dimensions and tolerances of fewer than 100 nanometres, particularly the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.
Nanotechnology, often known as nanotech, is the use of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale for industrial applications.
(NAN).
