P.T. Ugosor
Department of Chemistry,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State
e-mail: [email protected]
A. A. Shausu
Department of Chemistry,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State
e-mail: [email protected]
I. J. Tyoga
Department of Chemistry,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Chemistry education plays a great role in food security, national development and its sustenance. Nigeria is faced with food crisis as a result of internal problems of insecurity (the recent farmer herder clashes, activities of Boko haram, Islamic State of West African Province, (ISWAP) as well as other terror groups in the country and the lack of political will by the present administration to tackle the problems, gender inequality, educational decadence, dwindling human resource base, poor health facilities, outbreak of Covid-19, political conflicts, poor youth orientation, bad governance and, dwindling national economy, climate change among others. The challenges of food security demands effective application of Chemistry Education to change the orientation and mind-set of Nigerians towards applying the scientific knowledge and skills acquired to agricultural production, utilization and other agricultural businesses. The situation calls for a real exploit of the scientific knowledge via crop improvement; smarter use of agro chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and effective management of agricultural inputs
to ensure increased productivity and food security. This paper focuses on Chemistry education, food security and insecurity in Nigeria as well as harnessing the knowledge and skills acquired through Chemistry education for enhancing food security, national development and sustenance. The paper opined that Chemistry education holds the key to food security, national development, and its sustenance. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders in food production are to ensure and allow Chemistry education to take and play its pivotal role towards enhancing food production and security for national development and sustenance.
Keywords: Science, Chemistry Education, Technology, Food Security and National Development.