The minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, will on Tuesday 27 October address the plenary session of the 4th annual workshop/conference on nanotechnology at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Lautech), Ogbomoso, Nigeria, tagged ‘LAUTECH NANO 2020’.

The Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) is a frontline research group on nanotechnology in Nigeria. The conference theme, ‘Human Existence and Resource Utilization: Extending the Frontiers through Nanotechnology’ has been crafted in view of the current challenges imposed by COVID-19 pandemic which calls for rational utilization of resources to ensure the continuous existence of man.

According to organisers, the theme for this year’s conference is expected to draw scholars, policy makers and participants from within and outside Nigeria in agriculture, life sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences, engineering and medical fields to discuss research activities that can engender development in through the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology.

Agbaje Lateef, head, NANO+ Group and Professor of Microbiology, said concerted efforts are needed to see to the realization of a national roadmap on nanotechnology and its proper funding in Nigeria.

According to him, for Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from nanotechnology research, government at all levels and stakeholders must increase funding to education sector.

The group calls on technocrats, industrialists, funding agencies and government to support its quest for innovative research in nanotechnology for the benefit of the nation and humanity at large.

The impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that the LAUTECH NANO 2020 Conference be conducted via Zoom. Expectedly, the conference would be declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Olufisayo Ologunde on 27 October.