As Nations all over the world strive to advance their technology development for economic sustenance, the Local Organization Committee of the 1st National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Communication (STICOMMSLOC) in collaboration with the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is set to hold the maiden conference in Abuja on 21st to 23rd of October, 2025, at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja. with the theme, “Communicating Science, Technology, and Innovation for National Development”.
Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Bosco Okolo-Obi, made the announcement at a Pre- conference press briefing held at the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja.
Dr. Okolo-Obi while addressing the press on the conference with the theme noted that the conference seeks to bring key Stakeholders together, to promote research and policies that are tailored to grow Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation sector.
He said without effective translation of research into policies, products, and public understanding, the knowledge economy that Nigeria aspires to build will remain a distant dream, noting that the conference seeks to address the challenge.
He said “For the first time, we are bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, the media, educators, and the public on a single platform to chart a new course. Our focus will be on breaking barriers of technical language, strengthening partnerships, training a new generation of science communicators, and advocating for policies that institutionalize science communication in Nigeria.
Importantly, this initiative aligns fully with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes economic diversification, innovation-driven growth, human capital development, and inclusive governance. By strengthening the link between research and its practical application, this conference contributes directly to the President’s vision of a Nigeria where knowledge is translated into wealth, and innovation creates opportunities for every citizen.”
Noting that the media play a pivotal role in driving the initiative, Dr. Okolo-Obi urged Journalists to own the event which will be held annually to improve Nigeria’s push for sustainability in Science Technology and Innovation.
In his remarks, the President, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu noted that the University has secured 10 patents developed in the last one year, and is currently awaiting commercialization.
He explained that the research and Innovation created in the University are tailored to solving challenges facing Africa especially in the areas of Health, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Security among others.
“The University was established in 2007 and as part of our expansion process, we now have undergraduate programs”.
He said the over the years the University has really done a lot in the area of producing very high level man power for Africa, using Africa as the focus and all these researches that are going on are geared towards solving Africa’s infrastructure problems in the areas of Health, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, everything that has to do with Infrastructure.
In addition to the high scientific content that we have here, we recently moved into the sphere of innovations and because of that we have a university based innovation hub where we work on the commercialization of our recent outputs.
In the last one year we have registered about 10 patents and we are currently working on those patents to commercialize the result of that research.”
Also speaking at the event, a member of the Local Organizing Committee, and Director Information, New Media and Protocol of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan described the forthcoming conference as a milestone.
He expressed concern over what he described as “lack of culture” for Science Technology and Innovation in Nigeria.
Highlighting the importance of the conference, Mr. Ayeoyenikan urged citizens to promote Nigeria’s Innovation drive noting that the interest of the nation must be projected to attract economic growth.
He said “This is a milestone when it comes to building the consciousness to be patriotic because what we have is basically the lack of culture for Science and Technology.
In other countries, what we should be doing now as science communicator is actually getting involved in serious things like when a researcher wants to put something in the public, we are there to help him.”
He called on the entire stakeholder group to strategize on pushing the initiative so that it doesn’t die like other promising initiatives in the past.
