Green STEM Symposium 2024: A Call to Action for Industrialization in Nigeria

The third edition of the Green STEM Educational and Charitable Foundation Symposium (GSS2024) concluded on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with a powerful message: Industrialization is not just a dream — it is Nigeria’s most viable pathway to socioeconomic transformation. Held as an international virtual event, GSS2024 brought together 31 participants from across the globe — including academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives — united by a common vision: to build a sustainable, research-driven industrial future for Nigeria and Africa.

Organized by the Green STEM Educational and Charitable Foundation (GSECF) — a registered Nigerian NGO dedicated to promoting research, innovation, and commercialization — the symposium centered on the theme: “Industrialization as the Best Systemic Strategy to Solve Nigeria’s Socioeconomic Problems.”

Why Industrialization? Why Now?

Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural resources, a youthful population, and rich intellectual potential, continues to grapple with unemployment, energy poverty, poor infrastructure, and low industrial output. While the country has made strides in various sectors, true progress remains elusive without a strong, science-led industrial base.

The symposium sought to address this gap by offering a platform where ideas could be shared, collaborations forged, and actionable strategies developed. The core mission was clear: to design a research-driven industrialization roadmap for Nigeria, one that leverages science, technology, engineering, and innovation (STEM) to create sustainable growth.

Keynote Insights: Learning from Global Success Stories

The event opened with a compelling keynote address by Dr. Raj Shankar-Priya, Professor at the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, UK. His talk, titled "Industrialization by Academic Partnership – A German Success Story," offered a powerful case study.

Dr. Shankar-Priya highlighted how Germany’s economic strength stems from its deep integration of university research and industry, resulting in high-quality mass production, innovation, and global competitiveness. He emphasized that Germany’s knowledge-based economy is built on strategic partnerships between academia and industry, supported by substantial public and private investment in R&D.

Though he acknowledged differences between Nigeria and Germany — including historical contexts, economic scale, and education systems — Dr. Shankar-Priya underscored a critical truth: Industrialization is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate policy, strategic planning, and sustained commitment.

A Voice for Innovation: Dr. Uchena Egwu on Renewable Energy

The symposium also featured a compelling guest lecture by Dr. Uchena Egwu, former Lead Biogas and Environmental Engineer at COSENG LIMITED. In his address, “Harnessing Anaerobic Digestion for Renewable Energy: A Pathway to Sustainable and Affordable Cooking Gas in Nigeria,” Dr. Egwu showcased how Nigeria’s tropical vegetation can be transformed into clean energy through advanced technologies like anaerobic digestion.

With over 90% of Nigerian households still relying on wood or charcoal for cooking, Dr. Egwu presented a sustainable alternative — biogas from organic waste, offering a low-carbon solution to energy poverty while reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

A Showcase of Research: From Geosciences to AI

The symposium featured a diverse range of research presentations across disciplines, reflecting the breadth of innovation happening in Nigeria today:

• Geosciences: Insights into hydrocarbon potential in the Sokoto Basin and solid mineral prospects in Kano State, including a petrographic study of lepidolite-granite in Kwara State.
• Artificial Intelligence: Applications of machine learning to optimize membrane performance, forecast green hydrogen adoption, and predict oil-water separation efficiency.
• Engineering: Breakthroughs in small molecule reduction, tool wear modeling, and nanocomposite fabrication using sustainable methods.
• Agriculture: Solutions for clean water access in rural Nigeria, using industrialization to improve agricultural productivity.
• Education: Research on digital competences among biology teachers and their impact on student performance in Minna, Niger State.
• Entrepreneurship & SMEs: A study on tax compliance among Kano-based businesswomen, highlighting the need for policy support.
• Information Technology: A report on student access to computers in secondary schools across Kano — a critical step toward digital literacy.

Resolutions: A Blueprint for Action

After days of dynamic discussions, the symposium culminated in eight key resolutions — a roadmap for stakeholders committed to Nigeria’s industrial future:

Commitments from the Community

Participants didn’t just leave with ideas — they left with commitments:

Looking Ahead: From Dialogue to Development

The Green STEM Symposium 2024 was more than a conference — it was a movement in the making. It brought together the best minds in Nigeria and beyond to envision a future where science, innovation, and industrialization drive national prosperity.

The recommendations from GSS2024 will be shared with policymakers, academic institutions, private sector actors, and development partners. The goal? To turn research into reality — one industrialized community at a time.

Final Word: The Road Ahead

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The path of continued dependence on oil and gas, or a leap into a diversified, innovation-driven economy, is a choice we must make — and act on.