The Nigerian Academy of Science, NAS, has said that it is vigorously addressing the problem of predatory academic practices which is common in tertiary institutions and research institutes globally and is now becoming a major problem in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Academy of Science has held a number of webinars and workshops to raise awareness on predatory academic practices and their detrimental effects on Nigerians. The quality of the final output of tertiary education depends on the quality of input at secondary and primary schools because inadequacies in each level affect the next level.
Lamenting that facilities such as laboratories, libraries among others are absent in most public schools. There are also not enough adequately trained teachers to stimulate interest of pupils and students in science. “Apart from strengthening research capacity, adequate mentorship will also result in redirection of research to address existing problems in Nigeria.
“They were mentored for five months and the aim was to set the mentees in the right direction. It was also to modify some of the goals to sharpen them as well as show them other opportunities that they do not know. It is to advise, encourage, and inspire them to move on despite the challenges that are stirring them in their faces.
One of the mentors, Prof. Andrew Verla, Imo State University, said that, “His experience was exciting and rewarding. Within five months that I was engaged by NAS to mentor Dr. Wahab, I have seen tremendous development in him in terms of generating ideas and making sure that the research idea is put into work.