With growing global technological advancements, leading scientific stakeholders have identified bioscience and biotechnology as the indispensable catalyst for Nigeria’s national growth, food security, and health resilience.
This collective stance was the central theme of the ongoing maiden scientific conference of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at McPherson University, where scientists, researchers, and industry experts gathered to strategize on harnessing the sector’s potential.
The Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, Professor Francis Igbasan, who served as chief host, commended the conference’s focus.
“This event aligns perfectly with our institution’s commitment to fostering collaborations, research, and cutting-edge innovation in biotechnology to drive sustainable economic development,” he stated.
Expressing his optimism for the outcomes, Prof. Igbasan added, “We are confident that our scientists will be able to generate solutions to many global challenges, which urgently call for new ideas and disciplines to expand the frontiers of knowledge.”
Echoing the sentiment on the conference’s importance, the Dean of the College, Professor Victor Oyetayo, described the gathering as “timely.”
He emphasized that it successfully “brought together innovators, researchers, and industry experts to cross-pollinate ideas essential for national development.”
The keynote lecture, delivered by Professor Ganiyu Oboh, a renowned expert in Applied Biochemistry, underscored biotechnology’s pivotal role in securing the nation’s future through innovation in agriculture, health, and environmental management.
However, Professor Oboh issued a stark warning, lamenting that Nigeria is failing to tap into the vast opportunities within the biotechnology sector. He directly called on the authorities to move beyond rhetoric and commit to tangible investment.
“It is high time we stopped paying lip service to biotechnology,” Professor Oboh asserted. “The government and private sector must gear up and invest significantly to harness the full benefits this field holds for our nation’s wealth creation and environmental sustainability.”
The conference, which has drawn participants from academia and other institutions, continues tomorrow with plans for further knowledge-sharing and collaborative sessions.
