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By Bianca Iboma
The Dean of Natural, Pure and Applied Sciences, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Dr. Oludotun James Samuel, has urged the federal government to invest appropriately in science, technology and innovations (STI) to create a brighter future for Nigerian youths.
He made the assertion while presenting a paper at the Science Exhibition Day of Loral International Boarding School, Igbesa, in a paper that he delivered, titled “The Importance of Science And Technology.”
He described science and technology as key drivers of development, insisting that technological and scientific revolutions underpinned economic advancement as well as improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure. Oludotun said no country could make progress without serious commitment to the development of science and technology, and government should ensure that science and technology were tailored to match industrial needs in each stage of Nigeria’s economic development.
Noting that corruption has muddled up the education system, he observed that it had become quite difficult nowadays to see students that were interested in studying pure sciences. The few students that were willing to study the sciences hardly used their scientific knowledge beyond the classroom.
“It is sad that the huge resources and energy needed for industrial development and manufacturing in the nation have been squandered by corrupt politicians. There are no certified laboratories of international standard for experiment and research work. We are supposed to have moved from academic research to market-based innovations,” he said.
The don regretted that those ready to take up research lacked the needed resources. He stated that many young people nowadays were only interested in studying a course like computer science, compared to natural, pure or applied sciences: “The interest to read science courses is dwindling because people do not have the knowledge of the industrial needs and support of science and technology; they rather divert to computer science, as the prospect is viable at the moment. It is not necessary that studying physics, biology or chemistry must take you to the classroom as a teacher. There are industrial parts of these subjects.”
Oludotun enumerated several challenges that had hindered the effectiveness of science and technology. These, he noted, include perennial poor funding and lack of recognition by successive governments of science and technological innovation as a major driver of economic development. He added that more support and political will from the federal government would encourage scientific research, innovation and local manufacturing.
Head of the science department at Loral International Boarding School, Pastor Nwose Uchenna, said, as a nation, Nigeria must accord high priority to science and technology so that the country could aspire to be among the leading economies in the world. The vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies could be attained only when science, technology and innovation were fully integrated into the country’s national socio-economic development process, he stressed.
“The goal to secure our nation, grow our economy, create jobs and fight crime can best be achieved if we embrace science and technology. This school is a science-based school, that is the main reason we spearhead a science exhibition week, where we have a lot of projects made by the students,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Principal, Mrs. Christine Uduweke, said for years educators have been agonising over the decline in the number of secondary school pupils studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
“Why this is so is still a mystery. The common explanation is that these subjects are perceived to be difficult and, therefore, a risk for students wanting to ensure a place of study at the university of their choice,” she noted. Uduweke said science and technology have policy implications for developing countries seeking industrialisation and development of industries through education that will foster human capital. Government has to support science and technology for the country to advance.
She said, “We should take urgent action to nurture the skills necessary for a dynamic knowledge-based economy.”
