NAS Wraps Up Research Mentorship Programme
The Academy’s Strengthening Research Capacity in Nigeria Programme, which aimed at enhancing scientific research capacity in Nigeria, engaged 20 competitively-selected early career researchers (ECRs) in a 5-month (1st June – 31st October, 2023) research mentorship programme. This had each of the ECRs paired with a more experienced mentor as part of the programme.
To officially mark the close of the mentorship period, the Nigerian Academy of Science hosted a wrap-up workshop on the 1st and 2nd of November, 2023. The aim of the event was to share experiences from the mentorship period, and discuss strategies for strengthening research capacity, via mentorship, in Nigeria.
The meeting which was held in Lagos gave each mentor-mentee opportunities to present their achievements and experiences during the mentorship period.
At the event, there were breakout sessions with discussion topics tailored to the specific needs of mentor and mentee groups.
Speakers at the meeting were Dr. Temitope Sogbanmu, (University of Lagos), Dr. Mobolaji Obadeyi (Deloitte Nigeria), Professor Taibat Lawanson (Center for housing & sustainable development), and Dr, Abdulazeez Anjorin (Lagos State University). Other speakers were Dr. Funke Fayehun (Immediate past chairman, Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) Board of Management), Professor Abiodun Adebayo (Vice Chancellor, Covenant University), and Mr. Wale Fatade (The Conversation Africa).
During this wrap-up workshop, insights and ideas for sustainability and scaling of the mentorship programme were gathered from mentors, mentees, and other stakeholders. Each mentor-mentee pair then had an opportunity to meet for a final review session.
Participants at this wrap-up workshop included some Fellows of the Academy, mentors and mentees in the research mentorship programme, and the media.