Nigerian Prize for Science now a solution hub _Prof Nnaji

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Nigeria’s policy drivers and industry captains should tap into the opportunities provided in the sustained research outcomes from the Nigerian Prize for Science to harness solutions to the country’s socio-economic problems.

Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigerian Prize for Science, Prof Barth Nnaji, who delivered his remarks during the declaration of winners for the 2022 edition of the award in Lagos, commended the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited for sustaining the research efforts since 2004 and tasked industry players and government to optimize the value of the initiative.

The Oracle Today reports that the NLNG Limited has in the past 18 years sustained the Nigerian Prize for Science and a parallel Nigerian Prize for Literature to advance global innovation in exploring solutions to social and economic problems that are peculiar to the country.

Winning works in the wards earn $100,000 or about N70 million each.

At the declaration of the science prize winners in Lagos, Prof Nnaji who is a former Minister of Science and Technology noted that the NLNG remains the only corporate sponsor of scientific research in Nigeria. He challenged other big businesses in the country to invest in research in our local institutions of as a way of growing home based solutions to local challenges.

He also called on government to float policy measures and incentives that would condition the domestic economic environment for commercialization and application of research findings in industry operations and social activities.

He noted that the NLNG Prize for Science has produced a pool of solutions that could be applied in resolving many social and economic problems that currently plague the country.

He cited that 2022 subject matter for the research challenge as major issued in the nation’s growing quest for food security and prevailing cost of feeding, adding that the wining research works could increase crop yield for farmers and also enhance processing of produce.

The Oracle Today reports that the theme of the 2022 Nigerian Prize for Science is “Innovations in Sustainable Food Security;” and the two entries that shared the award centered on techniques of enhancing plant yield under the prevailing climate crisis and design for production of machines for processing plantain into flour.

Winners of the year’s edition of the prize are Muhyideen Oyekunle, a Maize Breeder and Lecturer at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; and his colleague, Shehu Garki Ado, a professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding who is currently the vice-chancellor of Al-Qalam University Katsina. Prof Garki Ado is an agricultural expert, eminent academic, and researcher of international repute.

They paired in submitting one of the two most outstanding works: “Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions. The maize seeds they selected courtesy of breeding programme have been tested to be high yielding and water stress tolerant. The hybrids they selected records yields of 1.73-2.51 t/ha in stress areas and 5-6 t/ha in areas with good rainfall distribution in farmers’ fields.

The second team comprises Professor Sesan Peter Ayodeji, a professor of Machine & Process Design and Applied Ergonomics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure; and his colleague, Emmanuel Olatunji Olatomilola.

They submitted a work on “Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour.” The process plant is considered important for reducing waste and optimizing the value of crops. The judges said the design is resourceful in scaling up from batch production to industrial scale continuous flour production relevant beyond plantain to other food items.

Prof Nnaji Said both works are not just relevant but also critical to tackling the worsening problem of food availability, affordability and security in the country.

“At the global level, Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security. This entails improving the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers by promoting equal access to land, technology and markets, resilient agricultural practices, and sustainable food production systems”, he stated.

Professor Nnaji said the choice of the judges reflects a multi-disciplinary approach relevant to the theme in focus. He added that “the advisory board is particularly pleased that in evaluating the entries, the judges upheld the objectives of the prize which seeks to identify and promote excellence in utilizing scientific knowledge for the achievement of desired solutions.”

In his remarks at the event, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Mr. Andy Odeh, said science can provide solutions to most of the country’s challenges and urged industry and public investors to consider the commercial value of the winning works.

Mr. Odeh also called on all contestants in the Nigerian Science Prize forge synergies that would form a solution hub that feeds ideas, innovation, and scientific advice to policy developers and commercial players in relevant sectors of the Nigerian society.

In her vote of thanks, Manager in Charge of Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs Ann-Marie Plamer-Ikuku, noted that the science prize and all the values it proposes for the society fit into the company’s vision to build a better Nigeria.