By Biliaminu Zeenat
The Osun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) joined the Osun State Government, through the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Digital Economy, to commemorate World Science Day 2025. The event held recently at the State Secretariat, Abeere, with the theme “Trust, Transformation and Tomorrow: The Science we need for 2025” was aimed to raise awareness about the transformation, impact, and future of science.
The Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Digital Economy, Hon. Olatunji Dele Maruf Ayofe, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Jolayemi Olufunke, declared the event open. Mrs. Olufunke thanked all participants for gracing the occasion, noting that the celebration was a timely reminder that science‑driven initiatives are essential for sustainable development and economic diversification, and expressed appreciation for everyone’s presence.
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Azeez Badmus, delivered the goodwill message on behalf of Governor Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. He remarked that science acts as a bridge between knowledge and action, encouraged students to translate learning into practical solutions, and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to developing science, especially for students who are tomorrow’s future. He added that the governor, through his administration, is prioritizing investment in research infrastructure, STEM education, and public‑private partnerships, because sustainable development hinges on harnessing scientific knowledge for job creation, industrial diversification, and improved quality of life, and urged all stakeholders—academia, industry, and government—to collaborate in turning scientific breakthroughs into tangible economic opportunities for Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
Mrs. Busari Oladayo, representing the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), added that scientific research is crucial for effective climate monitoring and acknowledged the government’s efforts in promoting science. She further emphasized that accurate weather forecasting and climate‑data analytics, provided by NiMet, empower farmers, policymakers, and disaster‑risk managers to make informed decisions, thereby enhancing food security, mitigating climate‑related hazards, and supporting sustainable economic growth, and urged stakeholders to leverage NiMet’s climate services and collaborate with research institutions to translate data into actionable solutions for the state’s agricultural and water‑resource sectors.
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The Osun RMRDC State Coordinator, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed, was represented by Miss Biliaminu Zeenat, who spoke about the impact of science. Miss Zeenat emphasised on the theme, noting its profound relevance. She explained that it aligns with stakeholders’ responsibility to foster an environment where scientific innovation can flourish and shape the future. She further elaborated that RMRDC’s focus on raw‑materials research supports this vision, as the agency is tasked with catalyzing industrial growth by ensuring optimal utilization of Nigeria’s natural resources. Miss Zeenat stressed that science and technology transform local resources into valuable finished products, building a sustainable economy and securing a brighter “tomorrow” for the state. She highlighted the Council’s policy of ensuring that no raw material is exported without at least 30 % value‑addition, a measure intended to drive industrialization, spur local innovation, and boost internally generated revenue, and thanked the Ministry, scientists, and researchers, expressing hope that the discussions would inspire a new generation of innovators.
Finally, representatives from the Technology Incubation Centre, NASENI, and other science‑related agencies offered their perspectives. The Technology Incubation Centre affirmed its commitment to nurturing youth innovation; NASENI said it is strengthening local engineering and indigenous manufacturing, noting that collaboration would accelerate technology adoption and reduce imports. Mrs. Jolayemi Olufunke, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Digital Economy, delivered a vote of thanks, thanking all dignitaries, partners, and participants and reaffirming the government’s resolve to continue fostering a science‑driven ecosystem for Osun State and Nigeria.
