A Professor of Solid Physics and Material Science, Tajudeen Oladele Ahmed has called on the Federal Government and universities across the country to invest heavily in Energy Technologies Research to boost the nation’s dwindling economy.
Professor Tajudeen who is currently the Head of Department of Physics at the Federal University, Lokoja, made the call while delivering the 16th Inaugural Lecture titled: Solid-State Physics: Materials Development for Sustainable Energy Technologies held at the institution’s Auditorium on Thursday.
According to him, “Nigeria as a nation needs not to abandon this frontier of STI for advanced nations but should invest in it as this would in the long run put the country in the forefront or as a contender for green technology in the new era of low-carbon economy.
“Federal University Lokoja can also play a critical role in the materials development and sustainable energy technologies for inclusive economic development of the nation. This can be achieved by establishing and funding Solid State Physics Research Projects where in the long run, new high-tech enterprises would emanate from the research outputs.
“This is indeed a paradigm shift, the university has to contend with not only for the purposes of sustainable and inclusive national economic development, but for her own survival too. Hence, this innovation and entrepreneurial-driven thrust must be embarked upon as soon as possible.
“While there is a need to enhance capacity in FUL as a new university in Nigeria which is strategically positioned, the critical ingredients for FUL to adequately perform and contribute to STI development need to be provided by the government and other agencies. Hence the need to follow up on the existing government funding agencies.”
He, however, enumerated benefits derivable from energy technologies research in FUL to include; “location advantage of the university and the enabling environment, the establishment of a sustainable research center for clean energy and storage and water technologies would be successful.
“Also, with the existence of such standard laboratories in place, grants providers will be comfortable to finance researches directed toward global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Furthermore, this would encourage research collaborations within and outside the country which would ultimately lead to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and new jobs could be created for teeming youths as evidence of university impact and role in modern technology for sustainable and inclusive national growth.
“If this process of change is sustained, it would create additional new demands on high-level technological skills and technological developments, as well as on high-quality manpower that is capable and alert in adjusting to the changing industrial environment.
“Such developments would put FUL as a forerunner and an institution with technological capability and expertise, to play a major role in promoting and developing technology in order to achieve the national objective of becoming a developed country in the near future”
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, described the lecturer, Professor Tajudeen Oladele Ahmed, as an esteemed speaker and a beacon in the field of Solid State Physics.b
“The potential impact of his research extends far beyond the walls of our university, influencing the trajectory of technological advancements and contributing to the global dialogue on sustainability, ” the VC affirmed.
