The panel of judges for the Nigeria Prize for Science has announced that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. prize of $100,000 has been given to two exceptional scientific works (NLNG).
Sesan Peter Ayodeji, a professor of Machine and Process Design and Applied Ergonomics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, and Emmanuel Olatunji Olatomilola, his Research Associate, have been named joint winners of Nigeria’s Most Important Prize for Science in 2022, along with Muhyideen Oyekunle, a Maize Breeder and Lecturer at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University
The most prestigious award in its category is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), a firm that manufactures liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The Prize’s Advisory Board, led by Professor Barth Nnaji, announced the judges’ verdict for the 2022 theme, “Innovations in Sustainable Food Security,” at a press conference in Lagos. This is a result of the failure of the 2021 cycle to produce a champion based on the same topic.
The winning entries were titled “Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions” and “Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour” by Muhydideen Oyekunle and Shehu Ado, respectively.
In response to the judges’ evaluation, Professor Nnaji remarked that the work(s) addressed food security, an essential component of our national objective. “Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intends to end all forms of hunger and achieve food security by 2030 on a global scale using sustainable means. This comprises fostering equal access to land, technology, and markets, resilient agricultural practices, and sustainable food production systems in order to increase the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers “as he remarked.
According to Professor Nnaji, the selection of the judges reflects a multidisciplinary approach pertinent to the examination issue. “The advisory board is particularly delighted that the judges upheld the prize’s objectives, which strive to acknowledge and encourage excellence in the use of scientific knowledge to accomplish desired results,” he added.
The study titled “Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars in Drought and Well-Watered Conditions” by Muhyideen Oyekunle and Shehu Ado presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It has been demonstrated that the maize seeds selected through breeding have a high yield and are resistant to water stress. The hybrids selected by farmers produce yields of 1.73 to 2.51 t/ha in regions of stress and 5 to 6 t/ha in regions with favorable rainfall distribution.
Sesan “Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour” by Peter Ayodeji and Emmanuel Olatunji Olatomilola is crucial for decreasing agricultural product spoilage and packaging for distribution, as well as increasing the value of agricultural products. It facilitates the transition from batch production to industrial-scale continuous manufacturing of flour for foods besides plantain.
He praised the Board of Directors and Management of Nigeria LNG for creating, sustaining, and promoting what is arguably Africa’s most prestigious Science Prize.
Professor Christian Ugwu Agbo presided over a panel of judges that determined the winning proposals. Agbo is an agriculture professor at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. Prof. Mohammed Magaji and Ms. Funke Opeke also serve on the panel. Professor Magaji teaches agronomy at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, while Ms. Opeke is a seasoned telecom executive and the founder/chief executive officer of MainOne.
Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, said that the Science Prize is growing strength, as indicated by the 2022 result. He stressed that the Advisory Board and NLNG are working for the greater good of society to strengthen the prize’s effect and inclusion. He emphasized that science can solve the majority of the country’s problems and urged relevant stakeholders and the general public to continue supporting NLNG through the Nigeria Prize for Science in order to make scientific breakthroughs the most important driver of Nigeria’s development, adding that industry and public investors should consider the commercial value of the winning works.
Mr. Odeh congratulated the winners on their accomplishment and urged all previous prize winners to form a think-tank capable of generating and sustaining the flow of ideas, innovation, and scientific advice to the public and private sectors, adding that this will make scientific ideas and innovations beneficial to Nigerians, thereby contributing to the realization of NLNG’s vision of a better Nigeria.
He went on to say that the winning works have the potential to considerably improve the nation’s food security by ensuring a stable, efficient, and sufficient food production system.
In addition to Professor Nnaji, the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science includes Chief Dr. Nike Akande, a two-time minister and former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Professor Yusuf Abubakar, a professor of Animal Breeding and Quantitative Genetics and Coordinator of the Agriculture Group, R & D Standing Committee, at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, praised the FUTA winners, characterizing their success as noteworthy and a big boost for the University’s research activities, as well as another indicator of the institution’s creativity and academic excellence.