The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has urged the Nigerian government and the private sector, to allocate adequate funds to the ministry of Science and Technology, to realise its full potential and advance development of the nation.

Jonathan Fanton, President, of the academy, made the call at a dinner to mark 40th anniversary of Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) located in Lagos.

Fanton, who identified science and technology as the key to national development, added that the benefit that would accrue to its citizenry would be massive, if properly funded.

According to him, investment in sciences will boost production and healthcare delivery among others in the sense that it will aid in capacity building, researches and innovations.

“I recommend significant increase in funding for basic sciences by government, industries private sector, for this will go a long way to ensuring food security, poverty reduction and improve academic standard .

“Such investment will also avail children the opportunity to embrace science as their courses of study both in secondary and tertiary institution of learning.

“Because laboratories in schools among others will be well equipped to enhance easier learning,” he said.

Prof. Mosto Onuoha, President, Nigerian Academy of science said the goal of the organisation was to ensure that the gains of science and technology were brought to bear in the solution of national problems.

Onuoha, who identified science as critical in national development, said it cut across all spheres of life and economy which include health, water, sanitation, hygiene, electricity, transportation, Agriculture and education.

The president reiterated that no remarkable progress would be made worldwide without sciences adding that it was a transformation agent.

He however, said improved investment in the sector would go a long way to boost the capacity of professionals in the area of research, students’ performance, environmental sanitation and health care delivery.

Onuoha, who identified inadequate fund as one of the changes bedeviling the academy however, urged the Federal Government, industries as well as philanthropists to prioritise investment in the sector for quality and efficient service delivery.

He however, expressed the determination of the academy to ensure better future for the citizens particularly the younger generation.

“Science has solutions to diseases, water borne problems, energy. There are lots of problems befalling man kind that science can effectively resolve.

“Our people die of environmental and sanitation problems and these issues can only to be tackled scientifically.

“Our goal and aspiration is to see young children embracing science technology, develop interest in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture and Biology as against what is obtainable now.”

Similarly, Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, while congratulating the academy for giant strides, made so far, however, urged them to collaborate with governments at all levels to ensure that science was well captured in schools curriculum.

Duke, who reaffirmed that “we are moving faster to the technological world’’, said this required every Nigerians to embrace it and as well be science compliance or else you would be left behind.

According to him, if science and technology are well captured in school curriculum, it will go a long way to enhance school performance and national development.