Varsity Don Seeks Funding For High-risk Exploratory Research

A professor of Organic Chemistry, Isah Yinusa,  of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, has asked the federal government to formulate a policy that will support strategic and long-term national funding for high-risk exploratory research and the development of shared and cutting-edge screening platforms.

Yinusa of the Department of Chemistry made the call while delivering the 38th inaugural lecture series of the university held at the College of Health Science, Adankolo Campus, Lokoja.

According to him, the federal government must foster public-private partnerships and incentivize industries to invest in the translation of natural product which can lead into tangible applications for health, food security, and sustainable manufacturing.

“The path forward requires a covenant between discovery and responsibility, between innovation and equity.

“By embracing this holistic approach where academic rigor, supportive policy, and ethical stewardship converge we can ensure the legacy of natural product research endures.

“In doing so, we harness one of our planet’s most profound resources: the power of nature’s chemistry,

responsibly unlocked, to build a healthier and more sustainable future for all,” he stated.

Speaking further he called on universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria to become the engines of interdisciplinary science by creating and funding dedicated research clusters in biodiscovery and green chemistry.

“Develop innovative undergraduate and postgraduate curricula that braid ethnobotany with synthetic biology, and ecology with analytical pharmacology.

“Most crucially, establish robust frameworks and technology transfer offices to protect intellectual property while ensuring equitable partnership with knowledge custodians, turning groundbreaking research into societal and economic benefit,” he advised.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University , Professor Olayemi Akinwum, stated that from the very beginning of his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, his vision was to reinvigorate and sustain the culture of inaugural lectures as a vital platform for showcasing scholarly excellence, intellectual leadership, and research visibility.

Professor Akinwumi noted that , with humility and gratitude, the vision has been faithfully pursued without disappointing the university community.

“I believe I did not disappoint you, and I dare say that, collectively, we deserve commendation for this achievement.

“I wish to sincerely thank the university management, whose support, cooperation, and shared belief in this vision have been instrumental to its realization. Without their dedication and teamwork, this progress would not have been possible” the VC stated.

He commended Professor Yinusa for taking the bold and commendable step to present his scholarship to the university community and the wider public.