Don urges FG to fund solid-state physics research, energy technologies
Oladele-Ahmed, Professor of Solid-State, with Federal University Lokoja (FUL), made the call in his lecture at the university’s 16th Inaugural Lecture on “Solid-State Physics: Materials Development For Sustainable Energy Technologies.”
The don explained that the development of materials in the context of Solid-State Physics refered to the reproducible synthesis methods, structure and property characterisation.
He said that the project required developing of varieties of materials for energy sources and storage devices which could help to solve the problem of energy crisis that had bedeviled Nigeria and the entire world.
According to him, the need for green technology and low-carbon economy is rising rapidly and the abilities to create varieties of new energy technologies with improved efficiency would give an edge in the long run to the country.
“This is because the global economy today is being driven by cutting edge technology and the top 18 most sought after technologies are not limited to information and communications technology and quantum computing but include sustainable energy technologies.
“Therefore, Nigeria has to be a partaker in this drive for a new world order, informing the choice of “Solid State Physics: Materials Development for Sustainable Energy Technology as the title of my lecture.
“Nigeria, as a nation, needs not abandon this frontier of STI for advanced nations but should invest in it order to put the country in the fore front or as a contender for green technology in the new era of low-carbon economy.
“I also expect my university, the Federal University Lokoja, to take advantage and play a critical role in the materials development and sustainable energy technologies for inclusive economic development of the nation.
“This I believe 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, ” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed hope that the inaugural lectures series of the institution would open more doors and opportunities for the economic transformation of Nigeria.
Akinwumi, who commended the lecturer for a well researched topic, expressed hope that he would do justice to it to enhance growth and development of the country for the benefit of citizens.
