STICOMMS: Maiden Edition Holds Next Week As A Driver Of National Development
As Nigeria grapples with the challenge of turning research into real-world solutions, a new platform is emerging to bridge the gap between science and society.
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, is set to host the maiden edition of Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation Communication Conference (STICOMMS) from January 20 to 22, 2026, positioning science communication as a key driver of national and continental development.
With the theme “Communicating Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development,” the conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry players, journalists, and innovators to strengthen how scientific knowledge is communicated, understood, and applied in Nigeria and across Africa.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Bosco Okolo Obi, said participants should expect engaging panel sessions, practical workshops, and strategic networking opportunities aimed at deepening collaboration and reshaping the science communication landscape.
He noted that Africa urgently needs better public engagement around research outputs from universities and research institutions.
“STICOMMS is about changing the narrative. Research should inform policy, drive development, and improve lives,” Obi said.
President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, described the conference, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, as a unique platform for sharing knowledge, exploring best practices, and inspiring a new generation of science communicators across Nigeria and Africa.
The hybrid event will feature paper presentations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions of patents and innovations, as well as youth-focused hubs, scholarships, and mentorship programmes. Participation is expected from across Africa and the diaspora.
Organisers say STICOMMS is designed as an annual forum to advance science, technology, and innovation solutions while tracking progress in aligning research with Africa’s development priorities.
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