Expert says research is vital to economic diversification

Prof. Omowunmi Sadik, one of awardees of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, says research is a vital tool in achieving economic diversification.
Sadik, a Professor of Bio-analytical and Environmental Chemistry, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the ongoing 9th Annual Forum of NNOM on Wednesday in Abuja.
Sadik is an inventor working at the Binghamton University, New York, US, whose works earned her the award.
Sadik said: “Research is the solution to many of our problems in terms of energy development and sufficiency.
“In terms of training new and upcoming researchers, we need to put funds into our universities to continue to make great strides in development.
“The government must take a critical look at innovation, and so we need to continue to improve funds in this regards. I believe we need to put more funds into the TETFUND.”
TETFUND is Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
Sadik said: “I will like to see the government of President Muhammadu Buhari continue to do more of research in energy, infrastructure development as well as in science and technology.”
She said that no serious development could take place in any country without serious investment in research.
According to her, the government should reduce its concentration on oil which is the bane on the Nigerian economy.
Sadik stated: “The main challenge that we have as an economy is the concentration on crude oil, over 90 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings comes from this source, this is not sustainable.
“So the thrust of this government that wants to diversify the economy should be on research.
“In the area of agriculture and solid minerals, we look at manufacturing, services, entertainment and all these are viable areas to expand them.
“Most importantly, we must find alternative sources of foreign exchange earnings, we should rapidly expand in terms of research finding that will grow our manufacturing sector.
“Nigerians should therefore support made in Nigeria goods campaign so that we can grow our economy and speedily come out of recession.”
Sadik therefore urged government to develop the science and technology sector that would provide the infrastructure and incentives principally for improved research and development.
She said that collaborations with relevant research bodies and institutions within the country and the international community were keys to its success.