The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) says that the promotion of Genetic Modification (GM) technology and Genetically Modified crops will help in fighting food insecurity in the country.
GMOs
Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of BSN, said this in an interview on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Abuja.
There was a public hearing at the House of Representatives in November 2024 on the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria.
According to her, the crops have higher micronutrients contents; and could, therefore, help in reducing nutritional deficiencies among the poor among other advantages.
She also said that the global area under genetically modified crops grew from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 134 million hectares in 2009.
“Today, 14 million farmers worldwide grow GM crops in 25 countries, including 16 developing countries.
“GM crops increase in yield due to the removal of biotic and abiotic stresses,’’ she said.
Uzochukwu noted that the yield increase on Biotech (Bt) cowpea farms could be as high as 90 per cent.
“Aside increase demand for agricultural products, scarcity in natural resource and additional challenges posed by climate change; increase in productivity is a necessary precondition for achieving long-term food security.
“GM crops will increase rural income and reduce poverty in a country like Nigeria.
“Reduction in the use of chemical pesticides through GM crops will also alleviate environmental and health problems associated with intensive agricultural production system,’’ she said.
Using India as an example, Uzochukwu argued that Bt cotton not only reduces insecticide use and increases yield but also contributes to employment generation and income gains among the rural poor.
“It also contributes to indirect gains through improved health, higher water quality and protected biodiversity,” she said.
Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) friend of the month is Mr. Arfou Saley Baouna, an Inspector of Water and Forests at the Kandadji National Nature Reserve (RNNK) in Tillaberi, Niger. In addition to his pivotal role at the reserve, Mr. Baouna also represents Niger at the CITES Management Authority, contributing to the country’s efforts in wildlife conservation and the implementation of international trade regulations for endangered species
Arfou Saley Baouna at SC78 CITES in Geneva, Switzerland in February 2025
Tell us a little about your education and background. More specifically, where did your passion for wildlife conservation come from?
My name is Arfou Saley Baouna, and I am 44 years old, married, and a father of two wonderful boys. I am a Forestry Engineer by administrative appointment. I participated in the 14th edition (2022-2023) of the Master’s programme in the Conservation and Management of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna Subject to International Trade (CITES) at the University of Andalusia in Spain. Additionally, I hold a diploma as a Water and Forestry Inspector from the National School of Water and Forestry in Dinderesso, Burkina Faso. Since 2012, I have been part of the Niger administration, reporting to the Water and Forestry Department under the Ministry of the Environment. I currently serve as the curator of the Kandadji Nature Reserve and the Hippopotamus Sanctuary.
My passion for nature conservation in general, and wildlife conservation in particular, dates back to 2011, before I joined the civil service. At that time, I worked as a volunteer for an international NGO focused on Niger’s W Park and its surrounding areas. During the implementation of project activities, we carried out missions within the W National Park, which allowed us to observe wildlife species and their habitats. We also gained insight into the involvement of local communities in the conservation and management of the protected area and its resources.
This experience inspired me to pursue a career in conservation once I joined the Water and Forestry Department. After joining the department, I formally requested to be assigned to the W National Park in Niger, with the aim of contributing to its management. This request was granted, and in 2013, I was assigned as Deputy Head of the Planning Department at W Park, where I served for four years. My passion for conservation continues to drive me, and I am now honored to serve as the curator of another protected wildlife area in Niger.
Can you tell us a little more about your role within the CITES management authority for Niger?
The CITES Convention has been in force in Niger since December 8, 1975, and since 2023, the country has been classified in category II for its efforts in implementing the convention. As part of my role, I assist the CITES Management Authority in Niger by reviewing trade document applications, providing technical, scientific, and legal advice, and following up on notifications from the CITES Secretariat. I also participate in CITES-related meetings, workshops, and sessions, and contribute to the production of annual reports on CITES implementation and wildlife crime prevention.
In addition, I serve as a national trainer on wildlife crime, organize training for control officers, and raise awareness among users about CITES regulations and legal wildlife trade procedures. I am also involved in drafting and revising regulatory texts that align with CITES. Furthermore, I prepare registration files for CITES-listed species and coordinate the attendance of Niger’s delegates at international CITES events, including the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Regarding elephant conservation, Niger has made notable progress. Key achievements include robust legislative measures that provide full protection for elephants and their habitats, such as Law 98-07 on wildlife regulation, Law 2019-047 (CITES law), and the national elephant conservation strategy. Efforts to combat poaching have also yielded positive results, including the recent conviction of offenders involved in elephant poaching. The collective involvement of key stakeholders, such as the police, customs, gendarmerie, and judiciary, in wildlife crime enforcement has been instrumental in these successes.
What has been the impact of CITES regulations on elephant conservation efforts in Niger?
CITES regulations have had a significant impact on elephant conservation efforts in Niger. They have played a crucial role in strengthening the fight against illegal wildlife trade, particularly ivory trafficking, by providing a legal framework for monitoring and controlling wildlife trade activities. These regulations have empowered key stakeholders in the country, including government agencies, law enforcement, and local communities, to act more effectively in addressing wildlife crime. The framework established by CITES has also ensured that wildlife trade remains legal, sustainable, and closely regulated, contributing to the long-term protection of elephant populations and their habitats in Niger.
How do you ensure that local communities participate in conservation efforts and understand the importance of protecting elephants, despite the conflict between humans and elephants?
I had the opportunity to work on human-elephant conflicts on the outskirts of the W Park in Niger for my final thesis for my diploma as a Water and Forest Inspector in 2019. And this allowed me to scientifically understand that one of the origins of the conflicts is anthropogenic pressure on the habitat of pachyderms through the advance of the agricultural frontier. The effects of climate change also contribute to the expansion of these conflicts through the early drying up of water points inside the park, habitat degradation, high temperatures, etc., and this pushes the animals to frequent the river area where certain communities from the outskirts live and have set up their farms and apiaries.
In your opinion, what is the future of elephants in Niger if current trends continue?
The main challenge to elephant conservation in Niger and in our sub-region is the insecurity, which has a huge impact on conservation efforts and the management of our protected areas. This situation also provides an opportunity for the enemies of nature to commit their offences (poaching) against wild species including elephants.
Was there a particular moment or experience in your career that had a profound influence on your passion for wildlife conservation?
My stay (four years) in the W National Park of Niger allowed me to visit the entire WAP ecological block and to be amazed by the natural treasure that our countries abound in terms of wildlife diversity and the services they provide to local communities. This experience created in me an attachment and a considerable commitment to the conservation and protection of this wildlife, which is facing enormous challenges.
As the world marks the 20th anniversary of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Nigerian government to escalate enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), the National Tobacco Control Regulations, as well as the Regulation prohibiting promotion and glamourisation of smoking in the film and music industry.
The WHO FCTC marks its 20th anniversary on February 2025
In a statement on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, CAPPA noted that the FCTC is the first global public health treaty, adopted on February 27, 2005. It regulates tobacco products, including their content, packaging, advertising, marketing, sponsorship, price, taxation, and illicit trade, to protect future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco use. Many countries have become parties to the treaty, including 183 countries representing 90 percent of the world’s population.
Nigeria became a signatory to the treaty in 2004 and ratified it in 2005. To implement the convention, the country enacted the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, and later the National Tobacco Control Regulations in 2019, and, most recently, the Regulation prohibiting the promotion of smoking.
“This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the treaty’s remarkable achievements, renew our commitment to tobacco control, and engender a healthier, tobacco-free future for Nigerians,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director at CAPPA.
However, he noted that despite these laws, the enforcement of tobacco control in Nigeria has been low, with the industry exploiting regulatory gaps to target more victims, especially younger demographics, with new, addictive, unregulated tobacco and nicotine products of death and disease.
“Annually, more than 8 million people die from diseases caused by smoking and other tobacco use,” Oluwafemi said. “In Nigeria, tobacco-related illnesses kill 26,800 yearly and cause terrifying non-communicable diseases including cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory diseases on thousands more, costing billions in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. In addition, tobacco cultivation, manufacturing and use poison our water, soil, beaches and streets with chemicals, toxic waste, cigarette butts, including microplastics, and e-cigarette waste, destroying our environment and further harming human and animal health.”
“Worse yet,” Oluwafemi added, “the tobacco industry is exploiting our weak legislative and enforcement environment to aggressively lobby governments and the public to embrace newer kinds of harmful tobacco products that it presents as ‘safer’ than traditional tobacco use. Through deceptive marketing on social media and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the industry undermines tobacco control laws and entices more users into tobacco consumption.
“To be clear, these products, including e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs), snus, and oral nicotine pouches, among others, are not safe. Rather they are addictive and contain carcinogenic and other dangerous chemicals that make them an unacceptable, man-made health risk.”
To counter the problem, CAPPA canvassed intensified regulatory measures and the full operationalisation of the National Tobacco Control Fund (NTCF), including adequate funding.
Oluwafemi said: “The Federal Government must show that it recognises and understands the alarming danger tobacco consumption poses to public health and the economy, by raising the allocation to the Tobacco Control Fund from the present N10 million to a minimum of N300 million for the effective regulation of tobacco consumption. This will aid the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC) and the Tobacco Control Unit (TCU), domiciled within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to carry out their responsibilities as stipulated in the National Tobacco Control Act.
“Such responsibilities include implementing robust public health campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of tobacco use, funding research initiatives to monitor trends in tobacco consumption and evaluate policy impacts, enhancing enforcement efforts, including monitoring compliance with existing laws and prosecuting violations and supporting alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers, ensuring that they transition sustainably to other crops.
“The FCTC has been known to save lives, and by leveraging it locally, we can shield more Nigerians from the dangers of the tobacco industry.”.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has stated that Africa does not need loans but rather strategic partnerships and investments to address energy poverty and drive economic growth on the continent.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Lokpobiri made this statement on Tuesday, February 25, in Abuja, at the 8th edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2025), themed “Bridging Continents: Connecting Investors Worldwide with Africa’s Energy Potential.”
The minister said that strategic policies by President Bola Tinubu’s administration had proven Nigeria’s readiness and commitment for business.
“In January at Davos, I was in a panel with eight other ministers of different parts of the world and one of the ministers said that Europe has about 300 billion euros available for loans to Africa.
“I suggested to them that we don’t need loans rather we need investments, we need partnerships. Invest and then make your returns instead of giving us loans.
“I can assure you that the world is ready to invest in Africa, the world has recognised that Africa has enormous resources, but these resources have no value unless we are able to bring them to the market,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister said that the current administration had changed the entire energy landscape in Nigeria, making the country an investment destination for new investors and those who had earlier mulled plans of divestment.
According to him, Nigeria has shown readiness for business and that is why four major divestments that were pending before have been completed.
He said Nigeria had developed or grown enormous local capacity, enabling indigenous companies to be acquiring assets with capacity to run these companies in a profitable manner.
“Nigeria has nothing to lose.
“No International Oil Company (IOC) is leaving Nigeria, all the IOCs cannot find a better location than Nigeria for business. They told me that Nigeria is still the best destination and they are firm in their commitment to say they are not leaving Nigeria.
“At the worst, they are leaving for deep offshore which is beyond the capacity of Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) members,” he said.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria would secure some investments in the next few months, adding that $20 billion investments were on the way soon.
He called on Africans to unite in order to collectively provide solutions to the energy poverty problems bedevilling the continent.
“We have to collectively work together to ensure that we bridge the gap that exists in technology, in finance, among others,” the minister said.
In a similar vein, Dr Omar Ibrahim, Secretary-General, African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), decried over dependence on foreign loans in Africa.
Ibrahim said it was the quest by Africa to find solutions within and stop over dependence on foreign finance that informed APPO’s decision to partner with Afrexim Bank to establish the African Energy Bank (AEB), being headquartered in Nigeria.
“We are not against foreign finance, foreign technology and foreign markets, but to do our utmost best to address challenges by looking within first then go out only when internal possibilities are exhausted.
“The only way we can do this is to collaborate and pull resources together and then we will have all it takes to surmount our challenges.
“Today Nigeria, through the NNPC Ltd. is the highest contributor to the African Energy Bank fund,’’ he said.
The APPO Secretary General decried the fact that 600 million Africans still lacked access to electricity, in spite of Africa exporting 75 per cent of the oil it produced and 45 per cent of its gas.
He said if Africa must change for better, for its teeming youth population, there was need to critically questions the thoughts of its leaders, including academia, media, politicians, military and industries.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Haitham Al-Ghais, has tasked Africa to unlock its proven oil reserves of over 120 billion barrels.
Haitham Al-Ghais, OPEC Secretary-General
Al-Ghais made this known while delivering a keynote address titled “Driving Cross-Continental Investments: Scaling Africa’s Energy Frontier”, at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The eight edition of the energy summit, which opened on Monday, February 24 and ends on Thursday, February 27, has ‘’Bridging continents: Connecting investors with Africa’s Energy Potential’’ as theme.
He also said that Africa with around 18 trillion standard cubic metres of natural gas, was a testament to the continent’s crucial role in the global energy landscape.
“The world will need more of this oil in the future. Therefore, it is critical that the African oil and gas industry attracts the level of investment necessary to unlock this great potential”, Al-Ghais added.
He said that the vast resources at Africa’s disposal should not be disregarded or neglected merely to accommodate the energy transition agenda pushed by Western nations.
The secretary-general expressed appreciation to the leadership and people of Nigeria for their hospitality and thanked the summit organisers for their efforts in organising this year’s edition.
According to him, OPEC’s market research and forecasting points to the importance of Africa.
“Additionally, we know from Nigeria’s countless contributions to OPEC’s successes, how rewarding it is to work in this great nation. We encourage all potential investors to look at Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,”.
Al-Ghais highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between OPEC and Africa, noting that half of OPEC’s member countries are from the continent, including Nigeria, the most populous African nation, and Algeria, the largest in geographical size.
Other African OPEC members include Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya.
He also lauded Africa’s youthful and dynamic population, which presents a strong workforce for the oil sector.
“It’s crucial to discuss how we can unlock the potential that this great continent holds, and how to create an investment-enabling environment that attracts the capital necessary to fully realize that potential,” he said.
“The investment needs of the oil industry are substantial, with cumulative requirements amounting to 17.4 trillion dollars by 2050.
“This is why stability in the oil market is essential for investors to plan effectively,” he added.
He highlighted OPEC’s views on some important topics relevant to both the global industry and Africa, including future of global oil demand, energy investment and finance, as well as the ever-evolving issue of climate change and energy transitions.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo, has called on the management of the newly established South-East Development Commission to prioritise prudent resource management.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo
He emphasised that this approach is crucial for fulfilling the commission’s mandate of developing the region’s infrastructure.
In an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Onuigbo commended President Bola Tinubu for making wise decisions in appointing the commission’s management.
He emphasised that effective resource management would be key to its success.
“I would like to say that it’s a wonderful opportunity for the managers to have been appointed, and we must thank President Bola Tinubu for his wise decisions.
“The President has made it clear, both in words and actions that he wants to see tangible transformation in the country. I have no doubt that the South-East Development Commission will succeed,” Onuigbo said.
He stressed that the commission’s success depended on its leadership’s ability to manage resources in a prudent and judicious manner to achieve its infrastructure development goals.
“What remains is a question of focus, desire, and resolve from the managers to ensure that the commission’s work becomes a reference point for others,” he added.
Onuigbo recalled that a similar initiative led to the creation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He pointed out that when the law to establish the university was passed in 1955, there were no other universities in the region.
“The Eastern Nigeria Marketing Board was tasked with managing resources effectively, setting aside 500,000 pounds annually, which helped the university open in 1960 as the first full-fledged university in Nigeria.”
He expressed confidence that with focus and dedication, the South-East Development Commission could bring about a significant transformation in the region’s infrastructure, something not seen since the end of the civil war in 1970.
“This commission has a great opportunity to reshape the history of the southeast and work toward regaining its lost glory.
“I expect the commission to focus on key areas of development, particularly infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, and railway services,” Onuigbo said.
He added that education should also be a priority, stating, “Education is the greatest gift you can give to any group of people.”
The European Commission on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, presented a set of measures to help energy-intensive industries cut emissions and to boost production of clean tech aimed at bolstering the EU’s flagging economy.
European Commission Vice President, Teresa Ribera
“Today, Europe is making a bold business case for decarbonisation as a driver of prosperity, growth, and resilience,” said European Commission Vice President, Teresa Ribera.
“Our plan provides the stability and confidence investors need, unlocking capital, expanding clean tech markets, making energy more accessible, and ensuring a fair, competitive landscape where businesses can thrive,” she added.
The measures include an action plan for lower energy prices aimed at supporting the electrification of energy-intensive industries.
The demand for clean technologies produced in the European Union is to be increased through sustainability criteria in public and private procurement.
The commission hopes that the proposals will mobilise over 100 billion euros ($104.9 billion) to support climate-friendly manufacturing in the EU.
State aid, which usually falls under strict rules in the EU, is to be simplified for industrial decarbonisation.
European companies are to have the possibility to aggregate demand for critical raw materials to allow joint purchases at better prices and conditions from reliable suppliers.
The commission also announced it will present specific measures for the bloc’s struggling automotive industry next month and for the steel and metals sectors later this spring.
Shell Nigeria on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, won the Best Upstream Company 2024 award at the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) currently underway in Abuja.
L-R: Business Opportunity Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Olaposi Fadahunsi; SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Ronald Adams; General Manager, Shell Energy Nigeria, Markus Hector, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Ralph Gbobo and Shell’s Business Value Manager, Chidi Nkazi.. at the Gala Dinner and Award Night of the 2025 edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja… Tuesday
The award, received by Senior Vice President, Nigeria Marno de Jong, celebrates the contributions of Shell companies in Nigeria, especially The Shell Petroleum Development of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) who pioneered oil production onshore and offshore respectively.
“We’re pleased at the recognition of our efforts in the Upstream sector in Nigeria,” Marno said while commenting on the award. “We’re grateful to our partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, regulatory agencies, host communities and other stakeholders for their support in our operations. We’ll like to rely on their co-operation as we continue to power progress in Nigeria.”
The achievements of Shell companies have launched Nigeria into the league of oil producing nations. SPDC achieved the first oil export in Nigeria in 1958 while SNEPCo began production at Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water well in 2005.
Over the years, the operations of these and other Shell companies have not only contributed to the national purse to finance development but provided Nigerians the chance to acquire vital skills in the oil industry and enabled indigenous businesses to grow their capacity. A robust social investment portfolio has also improved lives in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said: “The NIES award is also a celebration of our commitment to Nigeria’s future through our latest investments. These include SPDC’s project for the construction of a facility at Iseni, Bayelsa State to supply 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMScF/d) to the Dangote Fertiliser and Petrochemical Plant in Lekki, Lagos State and the Final Investment Decision (FID) by SNEPCo on the Bonga North deep-water project valued at $5 billion. Our partnership with Nigeria remains strong and focused.”
Late last year, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) honoured Shell Companies in Nigeria for their contributions to the development of gas resources and Nigerian content.
The Alliance for Science (AFS) has honoured Mr. Etta Michael Bisong, the Abuja Bureau Chief (ABC) of EnviroNews Nigeria, for his contributions in promoting environmental governance.
Etta Michael Bisong (middle) and other fellows during the gala dinner and award ceremony
As part of his achievements, Bisong, an AFS Fellow, established Nigeria’s first Science Café to advance science literacy and sustainable development in the country and beyond.
The event, organised by the AFS on Tuesday, February 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, brought together scientists, communicators, and donor agencies to celebrate a decade of advancing science communication and advocacy globally.
According to Bisong, the prize is a clear proof that hard work pays.
The award-winning journalist and climate literacy advocate continued, “As I consider my small part in this admirable achievement, I am also deeply aware of the challenge that lies ahead as we come together to reimagine the future of science communication.”
Even though many people refer to it as science communication, he went on to remark that as a professional communicator, he understands that this term just depicts the new dynamics of modern society.
Bisong said climate change has brought humanity to its knees, making scientific solutions necessary to combat this new global trend. Whether it’s revolutionising the food systems or tackling health challenges, scientific breakthroughs continue to present a clear picture of how humans can best live in harmony with the environment.
The environmental rights campaigner disclosed that this is why the terms “science literacy” and “communication” have become more widely used to help people understand the reasons behind these ecological disruptions and their responsibilities in addressing them.
Using football as an example of how he plans to communicate to address this situation, Bisong said that he plays number five on the football pitch as a defender due to his unwavering commitment to keeping the ball out of the net.
“My goal is to bring the same skill and precision to this new science community of champions, in the hopes of leaving the world a better place than I found it,” he told the participants who had gathered to witness the landmark event.
Bisong expressed gratitude to the AFS for acknowledging his contributions and deeming him deserving of this remarkable honour in spite of the numerous distractions that marked his ascent to the top.
Speaking during the forum, Dr. Sheila Obim, Executive Director of the AFS, hinted that the AFS has championed evidence-based decision-making, science communication, and policy advocacy around the world over the last ten years.
She explained that AFS has empowered a network of vibrant fellows that have sparked important change in science policy, agricultural innovation, climate action, and community engagement through its Global Leadership Programme (GLP) and grassroots projects.
“As we mark 10 years of impact, the Notable Mentions Awards celebrate outstanding fellows whose work has shaped the future of science and society,” Dr. Obim said.
AFS is a global science communication organisation that seeks to form a coalition of science advocates that use frontier biotechnologies to address global concerns.
The award was divided into five categories: science communication and research, policy impact, grassroots and community engagement, youth and gender empowerment, and beyond legacy, which recognised Bisong’s outstanding work in promoting environmental governance.
The Alliance for Science is hosting the Future of Science Communication Forum, a two-day conference taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 25 to 26, 2025. The landmark event celebrates 10 years of groundbreaking achievements in advancing science communication and advocacy worldwide.
L-R: Director international Programmes Michigan State University, Prof. Karim Marieda; Former Energy Minister Ghana, Hon. Dr. Mathew Prempeh; Executive Director Alliance for Science, Dr. Sheila Obim; Special Envoy Technology Republic of Kenya, Amb. Philip Thigo; and Executive Director Farming Future Bangladesh, Arif Hossain, keynote speakers at the future of science communication forum at the event held in Nairobi, Kenya
It also marks the launch of an exciting new chapter in the organisation’s growth, expanding its mandate to address pressing global challenges such as food systems transformation, climate action, and improved health communication.
Over the past decade, the Alliance for Science has been at the forefront of promoting understanding and acceptance of agricultural biotechnologies. Building on this expertise, the organisation is now broadening its scope to tackle misinformation and foster informed decision-making across critical areas of science and technology.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Mathew Prempeh, former Energy Minister of Ghana, emphasissed, “Environmental sustainability starts with education. Prioritizing mainstream science from an early age equips future generations to champion sustainable development.”
Dr. Sheila Obim, the Executive Director at Alliance for Science and a leading voice at the forum, highlighted the urgency of combating misinformation: “We live in an era where misinformation and disinformation are among the most significant threats to science and progress. The sheer volume of misleading content can drown out common sense and push people back into outdated, inefficient ways of thinking. To combat this, we must build a strong network of allies dedicated to fighting misinformation.”
Prof. Karim Maredia, the director of international programmes at Michigan State University, outlined the forum’s ambitious goal: “Our aim is to build a cadre of over 100,000 science communication champions worldwide to serve as ambassadors for science, technology, and innovation, helping to eliminate misinformation.”
Amb. Phillip Thigo, Special Envoy Technology for the Republic of Kenya, added, “Technology is a cultural abstract. It doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and many AI tools are not neutral. Misinformation cannot be eliminated using one tool alone.”
The forum will emphasise the role of science and technology in improving food security, health security, nutrition security, energy security, and building climate-resilient food systems.
Key Objectives of the Forum
Celebrate Achievements: Reflect on a decade of milestones in building global science communication capacity.
Strengthen Collaborations: Highlight opportunities for partnerships in flagship programs targeting misinformation in food security, health, and climate change.
Explore Emerging Technologies: Examine the transformative potential of Quantum AI and its implications for science communication, diplomacy, and global systems.
The forum will feature expert discussions on critical topics, including:
Amplifying science voices in the Global South.
Challenging misinformation in the age of AI.
Energy, environment, and the future of science communication: Trends, drivers, and signals from the global south.
This conference represents a transformative step toward addressing global challenges through the power of science communication. The Alliance for Science looks forward to convening thought leaders, stakeholders, and advocates from across the globe to drive meaningful change.
