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From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Prof. Olalekan Wasiu Salawu, has said the politicization of higher education and the proliferation of federal universities driven by regional quotas rather than academic need has stretched resources to a breaking point and thereby stifled scientific research in Nigeria.
Prof Salawu while delivering the 33rd inaugural lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja over the weekend said: “How can we justify establishing new institutions when existing ones languish in neglect? Redirecting these funds to strengthen current universities would yield far greater dividends for scientific research.”
In the inaugural lecture, with the theme, “Hidden Recipe for Life: How Tiny Complex Compounds Run the Show,” Salawu said the current state of scientific research in Nigeria was as a result of chronic underfunding and a glaring absence of modern research infrastructure. He called on the government to stop paying lip service to funding scientific research and transform rhetoric into action.
“This reality has left scientists in our universities and research institutions grappling with immense frustration, stifling innovation and progress. Science is universally recognized as the cornerstone of sustainable development. Yet, in Nigeria, scientific advancement is hamstrung by two intertwined crises: dilapidated facilities and insufficient financial support. Laboratories nationwide lack basic reagents, cutting-edge equipment and functional workspaces.
“The repercussions are profound. Doctoral candidates now graduate without hands-on experience with essential instruments, relying instead on external labs to analyze their samples.”
On the way forward, Salawu said government must be committed to science authentically and move beyond empty promises to allocate budgets transparently and prioritize research in national agendas.
He spoke further: “The government should establish regional advanced laboratories, and thereby create at least one cutting edge research hub per geopolitical zone, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments accessible to all institutions.
“Launch Targeted Intervention Funds: Direct resources to revitalize basic science departments, ensuring they have the tools for both teaching and groundbreaking research.
“Finally, let us remember science thrives on openness. Publicly funded research must remain in the public domain, subject to peer review and free from secrecy. Science is not mysticism it demands rigor, transparency, and collective effort.
“The time for change is now. Let us rebuild Nigeria’s scientific landscape into one that inspires innovation, fuels progress, and secures our place on the global stage,” he added
