An environmental scientist, Prof. Hilary Inyang, has called for the strengthening of science communication frameworks to accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Inyang made the call while delivering a keynote lecture titled “Science Communication for National Socio-Economic Development” at the First National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Communication (STICOMMS 2026), organised by the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja.
He said effective science communication was essential for translating complex scientific data into policies, programmes and innovations capable of enhancing national competitiveness.
According to him, clear, inclusive and ethical communication of scientific knowledge improves decision-making, promotes public understanding and strengthens executive, legislative and public support for national development initiatives.
The professor, who is also the Founding Director of the Global Institute for Sustainable Development, Advanced Analyses and Design (GISDAAD), United States, identified energy, environment, health, infrastructure and disaster risk management as critical sectors where effective science communication is indispensable.
He further highlighted the challenges associated with communicating scientific risks and probabilistic events to non-scientists, advocating the use of visual tools, simplified language and ethical standards to deepen public engagement and trust.
Prof. Inyang urged policymakers, researchers and science communicators to prioritise science communication as a strategic tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and across Africa.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said the conference was designed to advance national development through science, technology, innovation and effective communication.
Onwualu described the conference as timely and strategic, noting that while scientific discoveries and technological innovations were reshaping global economies, their true value depended on how knowledge was communicated, understood and applied.
He warned that poor communication could disconnect impactful research from public policy, industry application and societal benefits.
The AUST president stressed that effective science communication was particularly crucial for developing countries in addressing challenges such as public health, education, food security, climate change, digital transformation, security and sustainable economic growth.
He added that the conference provided a platform for interdisciplinary engagement among scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, journalists, civil society organisations and policymakers, in line with the triple helix model of innovation.
Onwualu disclosed that the university had established an innovation hub, AUSTInspire, to promote the commercialisation of research outcomes, adding that AUST had registered 12 patents in the last two years and was collaborating with industry and government partners to bring them to market.
He invited investors and entrepreneurs to partner with the university in developing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges. (NAN)
