Abuja hosts major science communications confab

In a strategic move to address the disconnect between academic research and practical policy implementation in Nigeria, the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, is set to convene critical stakeholders for the maiden Science, Technology and Innovation Communication Conference (STICOMMS).

Scheduled for January 20-22, 2026, the high-level gathering seeks to tackle a persistent challenge in the Nigerian educational sector: the shelf-life of research papers.

Stakeholders have long expressed concern that groundbreaking research often gathers dust in university archives rather than driving industrial growth or informing government policy.

The conference, themed “Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development,” is positioned as a corrective intervention. By bringing together experts from academia, government, industry, and the media, the event aims to create a pipeline that translates complex scientific data into actionable development goals.

The President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, described the conference as a unique platform to inspire a new generation of science communicators. With the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the event underscores the urgency of integrating home-grown innovation into the national development agenda.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Bosco Okolo Obi, emphasized that the focus is on a complete paradigm shift.

“STICOMMS is about changing the narrative. Research should inform policy, development, and improve lives,” Obi stated, noting that the continent is in dire need of improved public awareness regarding research outcomes.

Beyond theoretical discussions, the three-day hybrid event will feature exhibitions of patents and innovations, serving as a marketplace for ideas where researchers can meet industry off-takers. It will also include hands-on workshops and youth-led innovation hubs designed to mentor the next generation of scientists and inventors.

Organizers have outlined plans to make STICOMMS an annual fixture, creating a consistent mechanism for tracking how effectively research is being integrated into Nigeria’s economic and social planning.

As the nation navigates the fiscal year, the outcomes of this conference could prove pivotal in determining how Nigeria leverages its intellectual resources for sustainable economic recovery and growth.