By Mariam Abeeb
Nigeria is set to host the 15th General Assembly and Scientific Conference of the African Academy of Science .
The Secretary General, Prof Friday Okonofua announced this in a press conference on the activities of the event coming up on 9-12 of December, 2024 in Abuja.
According to him, the conference with the theme :”Empowering and Advancing Africa’s Scientific Enterprise” will be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
Okonofua added that 2024 conference will unite some 1,000 outstanding thinkers and distinguished stakeholders from around the world, including policy stakeholders, regional science bodies, development partners, and key leaders in the continent.
He explained that the conference will cover subthemes including: Health, climate change, science diplomacy, science Infrastructure, agriculture, social science and policy, the basic sciences, engineering.. digital and creative economy, and future funding mechanisms.
“The conference will be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the President of the African Development Bank, Professor Akinwunmi Adesina will deliver the keynote address. Other presenters who have accepted to deliver papers at the conference include Professor Patrick Lumumba from Nairobi, Kenya, Professor Olubayi Olubayi from Uganda, and Professor Oyewale Tomori, current President of the West African Network of Science Academies.
“During the conference, new Fellows will be admitted into the Academy, while the recipient of the Olusegun Obasanjo price and other awards will be announced,” he stated.
Further speaking , the Secretary General emphasized the need for governments to be more informed about scientific research.
He noted that researchers often publish their findings in journals inaccessible to policymakers, creating a significant knowledge gap
He said,the conference aims to address these challenges by facilitating dialogue and Q&A sessions between scientists and policymakers.
According to him, the collaboration will enable policymakers to understand scientific advancements and take action accordingly by fostering a more collaborative relationship between science and policy, the conference seeks to drive positive change in Africa.
