LAUTECH organises international conference on Nanotechnology, partners agencies
By Adeola Ogunrinde
LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, is set to hold its 7th annual international conference on nanotechnology.
The conference which would be held between November 20-23, would be organised jointly with National Space Research and Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
The theme is “Nanotechnology in the 4th industrial revolution: opportunities for emerging economies”.
Prof. Agbaje Lateef, the Head of the Research Group said the conference will be hosted by NASRDA at its Lugbe headquarters, Abuja under the chairmanship of the acting Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Prof. Rom O. R. Kalilu.
Lateef said that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, would be the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony on November 21, 2023.
He said that the conference will be co-chaired and hosted by the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Halilu A. Shaba, adding that the Director of Chemical Technology in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, who doubles as the Chairman, National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology Policy Development, Mfon E.J. Bassey will co-host the conference.
The conference, which will be attended by scholars, policy makers, members of armed forces, students and the private sector will discuss advances of nanotechnology in the fourth industrial revolution and the opportunities that can be explored by developing countries in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, environment, security and defence for sustainable development.
“The Executive Vice-Chairman of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu will give the keynote address, while several internationally recognised scholars will deliver papers at plenary. It is expected that the gathering will be addressed by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki; Executive Secretary, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, and Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Professor Ayo Omotayo, among other top functionaries of government”, said Lateef.
It will be recalled that the group’s 6th International Conference on Nanotechnology hosted by NASRDA in November 2022 was attended by the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Olorunnibe Adeleke Mamora.
The LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group has put nanotechnology discourse at the front burners in Nigeria making giant contributions in research, publications, product development, training and advocacy.
The group has been organising workshops and conferences on nanotechnology since 2017 and the members from different disciplines have published more than 160 articles on nanotechnology since inception in 2014.
The group also was commended by the University for contributing enormously to the outstanding ranking of LAUTECH by different national and international organisations.
In his words, Lateef on behalf of the group thanked all the collaborators of the group including NASRDA and the Ministry for supporting the group’s activities.
He reiterated the need to support the group in the establishment of a centre of excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology to further promote nanotechnology research in Nigeria.
Lateef stated that the readiness of the group to collaborate with governmental agencies and the private sector in realising this lofty goal.
He also called on the federal government to finalise the passage of National Policy on Nanotechnology in Nigeria, saying the lack of the policy is stifling research and development in Nanotechnology.
