By Eunice Orike
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, has said that role of nanotechnology is crucial in driving Nigeria’s economic revitalization and achieving a green revolution.
Speaking at the 6th Conference on Application of Nanotechnology in Energy, Environment, Agriculture, and Health, held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Ike-Muonso noted that the global nanotechnology market is projected to exceed $401 billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 13.7%.
Despite this vast potential, Africa contributes less than 2% of global nanotechnology patents and publications.
The DG described the conference as strategic; a platform where academics, eminent scholars and relevant stakeholders converge to share knowledge, collaborate and chart a way forward for harnessing nanotechnology potentials for sustainable growth and development.
Ike-Muonso challenged participants to harness nanotechnology for sustainable growth and development, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to invest in research-to-market pathways and support collaborations between relevant institutions.
He said that nanotechnology has been envisioned by experts as “the cornerstone of a smarter Africa, explaining it to be a science of manipulating materials at the atomic or molecular scale, a domain where the seemingly invisible gives birth to revolutionary advances across multiple sectors.
He pointed out that Nigeria with over 240 million people and a rising energy demand, must key into these frontier innovations.
The global nanotechnology energy sector is expanding at a CAGR of 13.3% through 2030.
The RMRDC DG highlighted the transformative impact of nanotechnology on various sectors, including energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
He cited examples of nanostructured solar cells, energy storage systems, and nanocomposite materials for soil restoration.
Ike-Muonso also underscored the importance of institutionalizing nano remediation for long-term ecological restoration, citing a recent review that recommended this approach.
In his keynote address, Ike-Muonso drew inspiration from countries like India and South Korea, which have made significant strides in nanotechnology. He emphasized that with the right investment and application; nanotechnology can transform Nigeria’s environmental landscape and drive economic growth.
The Coordinator of the Nano Research Group and Director of Research at UNN, Prof. Fabian Ezeama, expressed his appreciation for the partnership between NRG-UNN and RMRDC in promoting nanotechnology initiatives in Nigeria. He noted that the RMRDC’s role in promoting research and development in Nigeria cannot be overstated, and that the partnership will open up new areas for research and enable researchers to focus on relevant projects with market value.
