Education
THE Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP) has called for increased government investment in scientific research, innovation, laboratory infrastructure, and technology incubation centres across tertiary institutions in the country.
The institute made the call in a communique signed by Prof. Godfrey Akpojotor, issued at the end of its 47th Annual Conference and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday.
It stressed that inadequate funding had continued to hinder innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria.
It said participants observed that inadequate investment in research facilities, poor laboratory infrastructure, unstable power supply and insufficient funding remained major obstacles to scientific research and technological advancement in the country.
It noted that physics remained a fundamental driver of technological innovation, industrial growth, digital transformation and sustainable socio-economic development, hence the need for more funding.
NIP also observed that advances in smart technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics and data-driven systems, presented significant opportunities for scientific advancement and national transformation, if harnessed.
“We encouraged the adoption of AI, automation, geospatial technologies, computational modelling, and smart instrumentation in scientific research and industrial processes.
“There is the need for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutes, government agencies and industry, to facilitate the translation of research findings into practical technologies and commercially viable innovations,” it said.
It argued that Nigeria possessed substantial human and intellectual capacity, capable of driving scientific innovation if supported through adequate funding, infrastructure development and effective policy implementation.
As part of its resolutions, the institute advocated the integration of smart physics concepts and emerging technologies into teaching, learning, research, industrial applications and national development initiatives.
It further called for improved science education policies and increased support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes at all levels of education, with emphasis on inclusivity, equity and diversity.
It encouraged continuous professional development through conferences, workshops, specialised training programmes and other capacity-building initiatives for physicists and researchers.
The institute reaffirmed its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through teaching and research, fostering innovation and leveraging smart physics for technological advancement, sustainable national development and enhanced global competitiveness.
It said that the conference themed, “Smart Physics: A New Perspective for Technological Advancement,” had physicists and stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria, who discussed emerging scientific innovations and the role of physics in national development. (NAN)
A.I
June 2, 2026
Tags: Prof. Godfrey Akpojotor