The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Abdullahi, has urged researchers to translate scientific discoveries into practical innovations, viable enterprises and national prosperity, stressing the need to align research activities with Nigeria’s development priorities.
Abdullahi gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Biennial Conference of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), held on October 13th, 2026 at the Red Chamber.
The conference, themed “Innovation at the Intersection of Science, Environment, Agriculture, Climate, Health and Artificial Intelligence,” brought together academics, researchers, industry professionals, policymakers and students to explore innovative approaches to addressing contemporary challenges through scientific research and technological advancement.
Represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the NITDA Director-General commended FUNAAB for its growth and the conference organisers for choosing a theme that reflects the increasing role of science and technology in solving societal problems.
He highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture, healthcare, climate action and education, emphasising the need for deliberate investment in digital talent development, shared innovation infrastructure and stronger partnerships between universities and technology stakeholders.
Abdullahi identified five priorities for translating research into national prosperity: aligning research with national challenges, developing shared scientific and digital infrastructure, linking research funding to practical outcomes, nurturing entrepreneurial researchers and measuring success through societal impact rather than academic outputs alone.
He urged researchers to look beyond publishing findings and focus on developing solutions that address pressing national needs, create economic opportunities and improve the quality of life of Nigerians.
Addressing students, he encouraged them to embrace innovation and view their academic qualifications as a foundation for solving real-world problems.
“Your certificate is just your beginning and not your destination,” he said, urging them to develop the skills and entrepreneurial mindset required to turn knowledge into meaningful contributions to society.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), Prof. Olusegun Oguntoke, described the conference theme as timely, given the rapid advancement of technology and the growing impact of climate change.
He highlighted COLPHYS’s contributions to the University’s mandates of teaching, research and community engagement, expressing optimism that the conference’s workshops, training sessions and research engagements would generate valuable outcomes for the University and society.
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised FUNAAB’s international collaborations and growing global engagement, describing the conference as an opportunity to strengthen research exchange, professional networking and interdisciplinary partnerships.
He challenged participants to explore emerging areas of knowledge, leverage open-source resources, foster cross-disciplinary collaborations and inspire the next generation of researchers.
Kehinde commended the Local Organising Committee for its efforts in organising the conference and formally declared the event open.
Earlier, the Dean of COLPHYS, Prof. Victor Makinde, welcomed participants and dignitaries, appreciating the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their support in hosting the international conference.
He explained that the conference was designed to provide a platform for academics, researchers, industry professionals, policymakers and students to exchange knowledge, share research findings and showcase innovations across diverse scientific disciplines.
These areas include computer science and artificial intelligence, mathematics and statistics, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, medical and life sciences, data science, education, agriculture and food security.
At the first plenary session, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Dr. Titilola Ibiyemi, examined the relationship between science, healthcare and Artificial Intelligence, highlighting how scientific discoveries drive medical advancement while AI improves efficiency and accelerates research and healthcare processes.
She explained that physics contributes to the development of medical sensors and imaging technologies, chemistry supports drug discovery and development, while mathematics provides the foundation for predictive analysis and other data-driven applications.
Ibiyemi stressed that although AI offers significant opportunities for improving healthcare delivery, it should complement rather than replace the expertise of healthcare professionals and scientists.
She underscored the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with emerging technologies to improve medical research, support clinical decision-making and enhance patient care.
The second plenary session featured the Director of the NITDA IT Hub at the University of Lagos, Prof. Victor Odumuyiwa, who delivered a paper titled “Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Scientific Innovation: Transforming Research Across Science, Environment, Agriculture, Climate and Health.”
His presentation examined the potential of AI to accelerate scientific discoveries, strengthen research processes and stimulate innovation across critical sectors of the economy.
The discussions highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in harnessing AI and other emerging technologies to address complex challenges in agriculture, healthcare, environmental management and climate change.
The conference further reinforced FUNAAB’s commitment to scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge-driven development, emphasising the need to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and their practical application.
It also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration among universities, government agencies, industry stakeholders and researchers in developing sustainable solutions that support national development and economic growth.
