Abuja: Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a notable authority at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has urged Nigerian and other African governments to empower science with bold and informed policies. Akinbo, speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emphasized the need for policies that support scientific breakthroughs rather than hinder them, as Africa faces critical challenges in food security, pharmaceuticals, and health innovations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Akinbo, who serves as the Technical Lead for the Genome Editing Initiative at the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation, called on African policymakers to embrace innovation. He highlighted that African scientists are already making significant strides, utilizing government-funded infrastructure to develop homegrown innovations. However, he stressed that policy support is crucial to translate these scientific advances into tangible benefits for the continent.
Akinbo referenced Agenda 2063, Africa’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation, underscoring that scientific innovation is essential for progress. He pointed out that Africa, with its vast natural resources, must adopt science-driven policies to enhance agricultural productivity and achieve self-reliance in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Moreover, Akinbo emphasized the importance of science communication, advocating for dialogue between scientists and policymakers to foster understanding and collaboration. He warned against treating science as a threat and called for policies that protect intellectual property rights and support local patents, preventing brain drain and safeguarding African innovations.
Akinbo concluded by urging African governments to fulfill their commitments under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and align with initiatives like the Kampala Declaration. By doing so, he argued, innovation would thrive, unencumbered by bureaucratic obstacles or anti-science sentiments, paving the way for a prosperous future driven by science and technology.
