In a stirring address delivered during the 33rd Inaugural Lecture at Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Olalekan Salawu urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritise science education and elevate Nigerian universities into genuine engines of innovation. What followed was a frank appraisal of the country’s higher-education system and a clarion call for structural reform.
Salawu, a professor of Inorganic Chemistry, opened his lecture titled “Èròjà ìṣèmí tó fárasín: Bí àpapọ̀ àwọn èròjà àkérèlójú (bíntìn) ṣe ń ṣíṣe ìṣèmí” (translated: “Hidden Recipe for Life: How Tiny Complex Compounds Run the Show”), by asking whether Nigeria’s chemistry graduates today compare favourably to their counterparts of decades past. His answer was blunt: “Regrettably, no.”
He attributed this decline to systemic issues: laboratories left to decay, chronic under-funding, overcrowded classrooms and chemistry often taken by students as a second choice rather than a calling. “Science demands rigour, transparency and collective effort,” he emphasised.
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From Neglect to Innovation: What Must Change
Professor Salawu offered more than diagnosis — he laid out a blueprint for change. At its heart: move beyond rhetoric and invest meaningfully in scientific infrastructure and human capital.
Firstly, he urged the government to establish Regional Advanced Laboratories, proposing at least one cutting-edge research hub per geopolitical zone, properly outfitted and accessible to all institutions.
Secondly, he called for Targeted Intervention Funds devoted solely to revitalising the basic sciences — particularly those departments often overlooked in favour of more glamorous options.
Thirdly, he pressed for publicly-funded research to be open, peer-reviewed and free of secrecy, rejecting the notion that science is mysticism. “Science thrives on openness,” he said.
Salawu also placed the onus on universities themselves: to rebuild crumbling infrastructure and reorient curricula so that labs are not only teaching aids but discovery centres. He urged the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) to standardise training in chemistry, akin to how engineering is regulated — signalling a shift from discipline-based education to profession-oriented competency.
Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Future
In the broader context of Nigeria’s development, the professor’s call is neither isolated nor premature. It aligns with a growing realisation across the higher-education sector that universities must become more than degree-mills — they must fuel innovation, create knowledge and drive economic progress.
For example, in May 2025, the number of approved universities in Nigeria reached 295, as the government sought to boost access and align higher education with STEM and vocational priorities.
But increasing the number of institutions is not enough. To meet the challenges of the 21st-century economy — from biotechnology and renewable energy to data science and advanced manufacturing — the foundational sciences must be strong.
Academic research supports this: in one study of Nigerian science and technology education, challenges such as under-qualified teachers, outdated curricula and scarce funding were flagged as severe impediments to national development.
Unless institutions invest in robust science education, Nigeria risks falling behind in the global race for innovation.
What Nigeria Can Do Next
Turning the rhetoric into reality requires concerted action across multiple fronts:
1. Government Commitment:
Funding science education should not be symbolic. Transparent budget lines, long-term commitments and oversight mechanisms are key. Salawu’s call for research to be open and peer-reviewed underscores the need for accountability in expenditure and outcomes.
2. Infrastructure Upgrade:
From labs to research parks, universities must be equipped with modern instruments and facilities. The idea of Regional Advanced Laboratories is particularly compelling — it allows pooling of resources and optimises access for institutions that otherwise struggle.
3. Curriculum & Training Reform:
Science programmes must be designed to produce problem-solvers, not merely degree-holders. That means practicals, research projects, cross-disciplinary linkages and partnerships with industry. The role of regulatory bodies like ICCON in standardising training is one piece of the puzzle.
4. Cultural Shift in Attitude:
Students must view science not as a fallback option but as a purposeful, impactful pursuit. Addressing overcrowding, improving teaching quality and providing tangible career pathways all help make science attractive again.
5. Collaboration & Open Science:
Institutions should collaborate—within Nigeria and globally—sharing data, expertise and facilities. This aligns with modern models of education and research, such as the concept of “Education 5.0” that emphasises learner-centric, technology-enabled learning environments.
A Personalised Reflection
Having visited several university labs over the past decade, I’ve seen the contrast firsthand. One chemistry department I toured had outdated microscopes, dwindling consumables and a shortfall of teaching assistants; yet the students remained eager, hopeful and understandably frustrated. When they asked me whether their institution could truly lead in research, I seized the moment – urging them to be the drivers of change rather than wait for it.
Professor Salawu’s message resonates deeply: to transform universities into engines of innovation, we must begin by fixing the foundation — science education. Only then can we expect graduates who not only understand the world, but are equipped to reshape it.
In Nigeria’s context, where we grapple with young demographics, rapid urbanisation and global competition, the stakes are high. Universities must not merely issue diplomas; they must produce knowledge, spin out solutions and incubate the industries of tomorrow. Science is the key.
Conclusion
For the Federal Government, higher-education leaders and stakeholders, the message is clear: prioritise science education now, or risk being left behind. The blueprint is in place, but execution matters. With commitment, resources and imagination, Nigeria’s universities can rise — not as relics of promise, but as true engines of innovation that propel society forward.
The time for meaningful change is now.
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