POLITICAL Economy

NAS Launches Six-Month Mentorship Programme for Young Scientists

by admin on | 2026-10-05 12:20:17

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By Ahmad Sirajo Makama

The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has launched a mentorship programme to pair 25 early-career researchers with 25 established scientists to support career development, research collaboration and professional growth.

The Research Leaders Mentorship (ReLM) Programme commenced with an orientation workshop on Sept. 7 and will run for six months.

The mentors include Fellows of the Academy and other senior researchers, while participants comprise Nigerian postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers who completed their terminal degrees within the past seven years.

According to the Academy, the programme was designed to address some of the challenges young scientists face, including limited access to experienced mentors, professional guidance, research networks and collaboration opportunities.

It said participants would be paired with mentors based on their research interests, career goals and areas of specialisation.

The mentees will engage with their mentors on research progress, career development and professional challenges.

The programme will also feature group sessions on navigating research careers, writing competitive grant proposals, communicating scientific findings and building professional networks.

The Academy said mentorship was a strategic tool for strengthening Nigeria’s scientific community and improving the country’s research capacity.

“Through the NAS Research Leaders Mentorship Programme, the Academy is positioning mentorship as a strategic tool for strengthening Nigeria’s scientific community,” the Academy said, highlighting in a statement signed by its President, Abubakar Sambo; Public Affairs Secretary, Chinedum Babalola; and Executive Secretary, Oladoyin Odubanjo.

It said the initiative was aimed at nurturing a new generation of researchers capable of producing scientific work that would contribute to societal and national developments.

The Nigerian Academy of Science is Nigeria’s independent scientific body established to promote scientific knowledge and advance science, technology and innovation in the country.

The Academy also provides scientific advice and seeks to promote the use of scientific knowledge in national policy and development.