Olalekan Akinbo, a prominent figure at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has called on Nigerian and other African governments to empower science with bold and informed policies.

Mr Akinbo said on Monday in Abuja that though African scientists were making breakthroughs, their efforts seemed to be hindered by inexact policies.

He advised governments not to treat science as a threat, as Africa cannot afford to lag as the world moves forward in food security, pharmaceuticals and health innovations.

“As global powers race toward scientific dominance, Nigeria and Africa stand at a critical crossroads, and the time to act is now,” he said.

Mr Akinbo is the technical lead of the Genome Editing Initiative of the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation.

He challenged African policymakers to drop their fear of innovation and embrace science as the engine of Africa’s future, from secure food systems to self-reliant healthcare and pharmaceutical breakthroughs.

Mr Akinbo stressed that the time has come for Africa to write its policies in the language of science.

According to him, African researchers were already delivering, using government-funded infrastructure to develop African-led innovations in agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, and what was presently needed was policy support, not resistance.

Referencing Agenda 2063, Africa’s master plan for transformation, he underscored that scientific innovation was not a luxury but a necessity, especially in an agrarian continent blessed with abundant natural resources.

“It’s no longer enough to plant grains; we must plant viable seeds that will feed not only our people but also generate export power and global relevance,” he said.

Mr Akinbo reiterated that science should not be treated as a monster; rather, governments should become enablers by funding innovations, supporting patents locally, and protecting the intellectual property rights of African scientists.

He emphasised the need for science communication, urging scientists and policymakers to engage in dialogue, not battles.

“Science isn’t the enemy; poor policy is. Let’s make policy the ally of innovation. Empower science and Africa rises; muffle science and the future is lost,” he said.

“When science is communicated properly, policymakers will understand it, and when policymakers understand science, they can write laws that actually help the people.”

He said Nigeria, as a potential model, already has researchers and facilities capable of world-class breakthroughs.

He, however, warned that without the right policies and budget commitments, the work risks will be lost to brain drain and foreign patents.

Mr Akinbo urged governments to meet their Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) obligations and align with instruments like the Kampala Declaration.

He said that when this is done, innovation will not be stifled by red tape or anti-science sentiments.

(NAN)