Nigeria: Ecological Fund and Research in Universities

The Ecological Fund was instituted to support ecological causes of macroecologic magnitude in the country such as erosion control, desertification, flooding and the likes. By macro ecological phenomenon, we mean those ecological challenges that can be seen and felt while the micro ecologic aspect has to do with those of lesser magnitude but not less very important though that includes research amongst others in this context.

It is then little wonder that ecological research in this country like other aspects of research has remained in its infancy, teething, tittering, wobbling and fumbling due to infrastructural inadequacies. The beauty of ecological research is that it co-opts other areas of study through collaboration in its scientific inquiry thereby making it easy for new findings or knowledge to be unearthed. The academic society for ecologists in the country too is yet to find its feet, just like some other learned societies. There voice is yet to be strongly heard and reckoned with as in other climes. This perhaps explains why the statutory role of the Ecological Fund was allegedly subverted by using it as a platform for channelling funds to supportive states of the central government for purposes other than ecology without any ecologist batting an eyelid. As wholesome as this allegation may be, it only means that ecology as a subject has suffered its pride of place in the scheme of things with non to the rescue in the country. It pointedly means that the Ecological Fund is a mere appendage that can be used to suit the powers that be. If this is happening under the watch of a biologist overseeing all affairs, then we ought to remind ourselves about our core environmental conservation values as Nigerians and as Africans for sustainable development.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.