Abuja: A Nanotechnology expert, Prof. Lateef Agbaje, has advocated the inclusion of Nigeria’s nanotechnology policy framework in the proposed 500 million dollars National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF). Agbaje, Head of the NANO+ Group, Ladoke Akinola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education, announced the Federal Government’s approval of the fund on May 9 during the Federal Executive Council meeting. The NRIDF aims to transform Nigeria into a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy through sustained investment in research, science, and technology.
He expressed concern over the delay in the approval of Nigeria’s National Nanotechnology Policy Framework, which began in 2018. He noted that the framework has yet to receive approval from the Federal Executive Council or be legislated into law. Despite the establishment of the $500 million NRIDF by the Federal Government, Agbaje hopes that Nanotechnology R and D will benefit significantly from the fund.
Agbaje further explained that the fund would provide much-needed nanotechnology infrastructure and support to universities with a strong research base in nanotechnology. The NANO+ Group of LAUTECH has demonstrated strong research capabilities in the field and requires adequate infrastructure and institutional support to expand its impact.
The professor highlighted that the absence of a national framework and focal institution for nanotechnology limits Nigeria’s ability to capitalize on the economic and scientific opportunities in the field. He mentioned that Nigeria is missing opportunities in agriculture, medicine, renewable energy, environmental management, and industrial production due to the lack of coordinated investment in nanotechnology.
In agriculture, nanotechnology could support the development of multifunctional fertilizers that can improve plant growth, remediate polluted soils, and act as pesticides simultaneously. In medicine, it can enhance diagnosis with rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic kits. In renewable energy, nanoparticles have the potential to improve solar energy harvesting and battery storage efficiency.
Agbaje also emphasized that nanotechnology offers solutions for water purification and treatment of emerging contaminants that conventional water treatment systems cannot effectively handle. Nanomaterials can be used to develop advanced absorbents and treatment platforms for industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater.
He pointed out that many of Nigeria’s agricultural exports face rejection due to aflatoxins, microbial contamination, and chemical residues. Nanotechnology can help address these issues, improving the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian products globally.