Lagos: The Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) has called on scientists to engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration to conduct research that can effectively tackle societal challenges and enhance human well-being. This appeal was made by the President of NYA, Prof. Temitope Onuminya, during the academy’s 16th Anniversary Conference and General Assembly, held at Lagos State University, Ojo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event with the theme ‘Convergent Research for Global Impact: Integrating Knowledge Innovation and Policy’ highlighted the importance of breaking down silos and disciplinary boundaries among scientists and researchers. Prof. Onuminya emphasized the need for collaboration to achieve specific goals that benefit society.
She stated that the academy, which started as a vision, has developed into a dynamic community dedicated to research excellence. “Interdisciplinary engagements, mentorship, and collaboration toward issues and solutions of national developments have remained NYA’s focal poin
t,” Prof. Onuminya remarked. She challenged attendees to transcend boundaries and convert institutional knowledge into innovations, policies, and practical solutions that improve lives.
The conference was attended by key figures, including the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi. He underscored research as a tool for national development and urged young researchers to broaden their perspectives to enhance humanity. Represented by Prof. Tuoyo Okoturo, Head of the Dental Centre at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Abayomi called for the integration of more young professionals to achieve human-centered outcomes.
Prof. Abayomi emphasized the importance of dismantling disciplinary boundaries to foster collaboration, which is crucial for generating and promoting ideas for the common good. “Development of locally relevant solutions to social challenges drives job creation, industrial development, vibrant community enterprise, and foreign investment,” he noted. He also tasked the academ
y with addressing potential crises in climate change, health, transport, food insecurity, housing deficits, drug resistance, and misinformation.
The President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, encouraged new members to maintain the high standards of scientific research that qualified them for the academy. He highlighted the opportunities available in Nigeria and Africa for researchers willing to explore the unknown and urged them to collaborate with counterparts from different fields to develop society.
Prof. Oluwole Familoni, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lagos, also spoke, stressing that societal challenges are not confined to single disciplines. He encouraged researchers to expand their scope for better results, noting that scientific creativity involves seeing relationships where others see boundaries and imagining solutions that do not yet exist.
The conference brought together researchers, academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and civil society to ex
plore and integrate insights from various disciplines for development. To mark its 16th anniversary, the academy inducted seven new researchers: Dr. Shitu Abubakar, Dr. John Simon, Dr. Sulaimon Femi-Abimbade, Dr. Hameed Akande-Bashiru, Dr. Mobolaji Adenike-Titilawo, Dr. Eli Danladi, and Dr. Funmilola Adebisi-Oluwafemi.