National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructures (NASENI) and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) have appealed for greater private sector participation in the commercialisation of scientific findings and inventions.

Representatives of both institutions at the end of a training workshop at AUST in Abuja said this would ensure that research activities address economic and social problems in the country.

Acting Director General of NASENI Dr. Ernest Haruna said the research activities of the agency is private sector driven and it has established Centers of Excellence in Advanced Materials Technology and Science in three selected universities in Nigeria namely: FUTO Owerri, O.A.U. Ile Ife and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

Earlier, the President of African University of Science and Technology Professor Wole Soboyejo said the collaboration of both agencies provided a platform for sharing of knowledge and training on cutting edge fields in science and technology.