Director-General of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martin Emeje, has attributed the lack of support from both the government and private sectors to the current state of research institutions in the country.
In a chat with Tribune Online yesterday, Professor Emeje said the support system and mentality of African scientists also contributed.
According to him, Nigeria is rich in natural resources; Hence, there is no reason to import any health products, but the importation of virtually everything and, therefore, become the market for countries that take their scientists seriously.
He, however, stated that there will be an unequal opportunity for the institutions to thrive where support exists, especially from the government.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Nigerian Research Institutions per se, rather, the problem is with the support system and mentality of African scientists who have either turned themselves into modern slaves or deliberately chose to undermine their own country.
“Nigeria is rich in natural resources, so much so that we have no reason to import any health products, but what do you see today? Importation of virtually everything, so we have become the market for countries that take their scientists seriously.
“Look how many rich men and women are in Nigeria. Can you mention the world’s richest people without mentioning some Nigerians? Is the richest blackman on earth not a Nigerian? But how has this translated into support for R&D? In other parts of the world, philanthropists provide huge support for R&D, foundations, faith-based organizations, families, industries, as well as governments provide huge support to R&D.
“But, this doesn’t happen in Nigeria, instead, everybody has PhD in criticism. So, the problem with our research institutions is majorly due to a lack of support from both the government and the private sectors.
“Where the support exists, especially from the government, there’s an unequal opportunity for the institutions to thrive,” he said.
