Mr Yemi Gbadegesin, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NILST), has called for revitalisation and maintenance of moribund science laboratory and research equipments across Nigeria.
The director-general made the call at a two-day zonal capacity strengthening for Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) professionals which was organised by NILST on Thursday in Ibadan.
The capacity building which was on instrumentation and maintenance of digitised modern equipments was organised for SLT professional representatives across six geo-political zones in Nigeria.
Gbadegesin said that the impact of maintenance of laboratory equipments cannot be over emphasised, sequel to its importance in enhancing the quality of data and information in achieving needed optimum national productivity.
He said that the objective of the capacity building was to improve the skills of SLT professionals in the areas of equipment maintenance, selection and preventive maintenance, among others.
Gbadegesin also said that regular maintenance of science and laboratory equipment would positively affect the standard of production in Nigeria industries and learning institutions laboratory.
He called for revitalisation of moribund science laboratory equipment maintenance centres that were established in 2007 across all geo-political zones in Nigeria to have functioning ones that could service laboratories in Nigeria.
Gbadegesin reiterated the need for training and retraining for laboratory staff across the country, particularly on how to operate laboratory equipment and perform basic maintenance to prolong lifespan of those available.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Council, NISLT, Mr Michael Olu-Ajayi, said that science laboratory technology has the capabilities to proffer solutions to the problem of insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
Olu-Ajayi urged government to give an enabling environment and support laboratory research for the nation to achieve its goals in science, technology and innovation.
The Director, Education, Training and Inspectorate, NISLT, Mr Peter Oluwafisoye, in his lecture, said that Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) professionals must prepare to be involved in laboratory policy formulation.
According to him, this will help to influence meaning decisions in equipment maintenance in the country.
“Maintenance of laboratory equipments would be easier only when SLT professionals are involved in procurement of such equipment,” he said.
Mrs Comfort Alagoa, a member of the SLT Council and South-South representative at the training, called for synergy between research institutions, government and industries.
Alagoa said that this would give the appropriate policy makers the opportunity to implement concluded research and laboratory works.
The capacity building training features technical sessions on laboratory safety practices, fault detection, record keeping and documentation among others.
