Science Laboratories are the Foundation of Credible Research: Permanent Secretary, FMIST
Delivering her keynote remarks at the Annual National Conference organized by the Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology in Port Harcourt, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye who was visibly represented by Mrs. Ronnel Gambo Dola said that science laboratories are the foundation of credible research, innovation, diagnostics, industrial development, public health systems and environmental monitoring, therefore an efficient national policy framework governing laboratory practice is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness, innovation capabilities, and service delivery across sectors.
Permanent Secretary, FMIST, Mrs. Ronnel Gambo Dola Delivering the Chairman and Hon. Minister’s Address
The Permanent Secretary said Nigeria’s transition towards a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy, depends on building strong, credible and sustainable scientific and laboratory systems, which aligned the theme for the conference with national and global frameworks including, National Science, Technology & Innovation Policy; National Development Plan (2021-2025); United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); FMIST STI Roadmap (2017-2030); African Union STISA-2024 & Agenda 2063.
In her keynote address she informed participants at the conference that effective laboratory systems must ensure reliable research outcomes for public policy and national planning; quality control for health, food, water, environment and industry; innovation, competitiveness and technology development; emergency preparedness, biosafety and national security; career pathways and talent development in STEM fields stating that countries with strong laboratory governance frameworks achieve faster technological growth and improved socio-economic outcomes.
Throwing light on the current gaps and challenges of the laboratory ecosystem, she said despite progress in national science and innovation reforms, continues experience has shown inadequate infrastructure with aged equipment and insufficient modern technology; fragmented regulations that has multiple standards, weak enforcement systems; limited R&D funding from insufficient budget, weak PPP and commercialization channels; human capacity gaps leading to skill shortages, limited training, brain-drain; weak research-industry linkages, which brings about low commercialization & innovation diffusion; low young male and female participation, which has brought about underrepresentation in advanced STEM pathways; bio-safety & bio-security gaps, pointing to the need for stronger safety, ethics and emergency readiness.
The Permanent Secretary further harped on the challenges of science and technology innovation stating that issues hindering productivity, innovation outcomes, and global competitiveness is absence of prioritizing strategic policy to strengthen the laboratory profession and enhance national STI performance, if that must be achieved, she recommended the harmonization of standards across ministries, agencies and professional bodies; strengthen accreditation, licensing and compliance monitoring; upgrade public laboratories with modern tools, digital systems and automation; support adoption of biotechnology, AI, and advanced research tools; improve R&D funding through government, private sector and donor partnerships; promote commercialization of research outputs and innovation grants; institutionalize continuous professional training and certification; establish mentorship and apprenticeship programmes; strengthen biosafety, biosecurity and laboratory quality control systems; ensure ethical compliance and global benchmarking; expand STEM opportunities for youth and women; promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Innovation (STEM-I) programs; establish research clusters, innovation hubs and biotech parks; enhance academia-industry-government collaboration platforms.
While still speaking, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye said that successful implementation of the above strategic policies will result in strengthened national science and innovation ecosystem; improved laboratory credibility, safety and global recognition; higher research output and commercial innovation; sustainable scientific workforce and inclusive talent pipeline; improved public health, industrial productivity and environmental management; enhanced national competitiveness and knowledge-based economic growth, recommending that Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology with other relevant stakeholders should endorse and pursue implementation of the strategic actions outlined; strengthen inter-agency and professional collaboration; prioritize policy reforms, capacity development, and laboratory modernization; engage private sector, academia and international partners for resource mobilization.
She further insisted that a well-structured and efficient laboratory policy ecosystem is vital to Nigeria’s development aspirations to the extent that strengthening laboratory governance, infrastructure, human capital and innovation systems will position Nigeria as a regional leader in science, research, innovation and industrial development.
