A University Don, Prof Olaniyi Fawole, has urged academics to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria in solving problems of insecurity through research.
Fawole who is a professor of Postharvest Crop Preservation from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, spoke at a seminar organised by the Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state Wednesday.
Noting that those in the academic environment have a huge role to play if the country is to attain food sufficiency, Fawole stated that the government alone should not be blamed for food insufficiency.
He said those in the academic field need to show the government through research that they are capable of solving the problem, adding that agriculture should serve as a business opportunity and not a side hustle.
He said: “We have a problem of food insecurity in Nigeria and the goal here was to enlighten the people on how we can contribute our quota to solving the issue.
“We are not only trying to address the problem but using it as a tool for economic transformation because wherever there is hunger, there is also poverty and it means that sustainable development goal 1 and goal 2 are together.
“Often time, we blame the government for everything that is not going well, but we in the academia have a role to play. In fact, our roles are more significant in terms of knowledge creation. If we want to transform the agricultural sector, enhance the value chain, and compete on the global stage, then we need science and technology.
“We need to build world-class facilities, train the young generation of scientists, and look at how we can have that business mindset that agriculture is not just something you do as a side hustle but a business opportunity.
“We as academia need to be specific about what we want to do. It means that we need to show that we are capable. I believe the government is willing to provide the funds once they see the willingness and capability to address this problem.”
