Amid growing technological advancements in Nigeria and beyond, scientific stakeholders have described bioscience and biotechnology as the indispensable catalyst for Nigeria’s national growth, food security, wealth creation, health resilience, and environmental sustainability.
The stakeholders reveled this collective stance at the ongoing maiden scientific conference of the college of natural and applied sciences, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo Ogun State, where scientists gathered to reflect on the role of bioscience and biotechnology, its current status in Nigeria and how it can be harnessed for national growth.
Speaking at the event, chief host and vice chancellor, mcpherson university professor francis igbasan who commended the conference said it aligns with the institution’s commitment to fostering collaborations, research, and cutting-edge innovation in biotechnology to drive sustainable economic development.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the conference, the institution’s scientists would be able to come up with solutions to many challenges globally, which call for new ideas and new disciplines to expand the frontiers of knowledge in tackling them.
In their remarks, organizers including dean, college of natural and applied science, mcpherson university, Prof victor oyetayo described the conference as timely as it brought together innovators, researchers and industry experts..
The keynote lecture, presented by a professor, in applied biochemistry, ganiyu oboh underscored biotechnology’s role in securing the nation’s future through innovation in agriculture, health, and environmental management.
He however lamented how Nigeria is not tapping enough into opportunities in biotechnology calling on the authorities to stop paying lip service to biotechnology, but rather gear up and invest more in order to harness the full benefits in it.
The conference which drew participants from academia within and other institutions continues tomorrow with more knowledge to share
