1. Science & Technology for National Progress in African Region: Highlights of Regional Strategy and Action Professor Gabriel B. Ogunmola, FAS President, Nigerian Academy of Science Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria. By

2. The Role of Science in Development. The culture and values of science are critical for building national science community Innovation for an improved quality of life INTRODUCTION

3. Vision of S & T in the African Region Political will and responsibility Creating an environment supportive of innovation Increase in coordination of policies at a regional level The role of NEPAD

4. Relevant questions in the paradigm of operationalizing issues What is the issue? What knowledge and knowledge gaps exist on the issue? What can we do? What will it cost in resources? What follow up action with stakeholders is needed?

5. National S&T strategies to identify priorities for addressing critical needs: - A NIGERIAN CASE STUDY A coherent national framework for actions that directly affect the promotion of science and technology. Nigerian Science policies The Institutional framework. A national S&T strategy has been developed by the government in consultation with the Nigerian Academy of Science

6. The national strategies for science and technology have been developed in full consultation with the country's science, academies, its professional societies, and the industrial sector. Some state government has developed similar strategies in different focal areas. National strategies include support for basic science and the need for high-level training.to develop national competence in selected frontier areas of science and technology

7. The Nigerian government has commitments to funding,standards of excellence,innovation,knowledge dissemination,regional networking and private sector participation. The strategy specifies the national priorities for research and development but national funding commitments have not yet been determined. National funding commitments for S & T Is currently less than 1% of GDP The Costs Involved?

8. Coordinate S&T efforts among nations to permit the sharing of experience. Networking among S & T agencies across the region.Bilateral agreements have been signed to this effect. Involvement in the development,production or use of new technologies Set up national committees to assess and manage the benefit and risks of new technologies

9. Public Dissemination of new knowledge Governments should encourage innovation in disseminating the results of publicly funded research and turning them into new products and services. National media should assume major responsibility for educating the public in S&T- related issues. Modern Communications technologies should be used in disseminating the results and public policy implications of research

10. For Africa S&T capacity building is a shared National and regional responsibility There is the need for institutional networks across the region. Assessment of capacity building needs Regional Capacity Building

11. Role of S & T in Institutional Linkages Fundamental knowledge producing organizations Communications Infrastructure Macro-economic regulatory framework Innovative firms and enterprise networks Access to global knowledge and market conditions

12. Expanding National S & T capacities Strong Universities are critical for expanding national S & T capacities Engaging the public and private sectors is also of paramount importance

13. Initiatives to promote indigenous S&T capacity. Attracting young scientists and engineers in universities and industries. Providing S&T education at all levels,both Federal and State. Building centers of excellence in Science, Medicine, Raw Materials and Mathematics.

14. Establishing virtual networks among many institutions worldwide. Fostering public-private partnership that involves academia most especially between the Universities, Academies and the oil industry in Nigeria. …for example NLNG has instituted the Nigeria Prize for Science and Literature.

15. Strengthen links with expatriate scientists and engineers abroad. Creating and maintain digital libraries by the NUC. Building regional networks of collaboration. Devise novel funding mechanisms for Science through endowment.

16. The Nigerian Academy of Science organized a forum to initiate the implementation of the set of proposals in the IAC report. Convene regional and national conferences to review, refine, and initiate the implementation of the set of proposals in the IAC report. Help African nations to identify national S&T goals and priorities in the IAC report.

17. Support research and development efforts in Nigeria and other developing nations of Africa to address local and global needs,such as climate change and C0 2. containment. Help African nations to upgrade their educational capacity institutions and programs.

18. Help African nations in providing information on S&T resources and issues to the public. Facilitate African regional and international S&T training programs. Support the development of data base and other S&T information sources.

19. Educational, training and research institutions Participate in national effort to identify national S&T goals and priorities. Assess strengths and weakness of universities and research institutions for achieving national S&T goals. Establish partnerships with government and industry for strengthening S&T capacity.

20. Create centers of excellence that address issues of national need. Upgrade educational programs and institutions. Sponsor and participate in regional and international S&T training programs. Provide information on S&T resources and issues to the public.

21. The Nigerian Academy of Science Participate in national efforts to identify national S&T goals and priorities. Help the government to access strengths and weaknesses of national capacities for achieving national S&T goals. Promote the upgrading of ongoing research programs that address issues of national need. Provide S&T advice to the government.

22. Encourage new centers of excellence that address issues of national need not currently being address. Promote the upgrading of educational programs and institutions. Provide information on S&T issues of importance to the public.

23. Expectations from Foundations Support research and development efforts in developing nations that address local and global needs. Help African nations to upgrade their educational institutions and programs. Help African nations to provide information on S&T resources and issues to the public.

24. Facilitate regional and international S&T training programs. Support the development of digital S&T information sources. Play an important role in implementing the national priority and agenda, either individually or in partnerships with national governments; private sector, and international, regional, and local agencies.

25. Non governmental organizations/STDF Encourage innovation in disseminating the results of research and in turning them into new products and services that address local needs. Provide information to the public about S&T issues relevant to developing nations.

26. An innovative society can only be developed through a culture of Science and Technology with people’s participation and must be based on local realities Address the common good using local knowledge and local innovation capacities

27. However, the question still remains as to the relevance and suitability of the various options of creating an enabling environment for S & T driven progress.

28. Thank you for listening.