…As FG Move to support groundbreaking innovations
By Hillary Asemota
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said Federal Government will continue to support the development of key and groundbreaking scientific innovations through policies geared at ensuring convergence of research efforts from different research institutions
Meanwhile his counter Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, on Thursday said Nigeria is rated low on the 2021 global innovation index because of the lack of verifiable data on the country’s innovation space.
The Minister made this known when he declared open the 19th National Council on Science, Technology and Innovation on Thursday in Abuja, in a statement disclosed by Otuyemi Adetayo, of the Ministry’s PR department.
The theme of the council is “Investment in Research and Development: A Necessary Tool to Improving Nigerian Economy.
Onu said that efforts are being made to review the current Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy to accommodate and meet the needs of the 21st century and proffer solutions to teeming challenges facing Nigeria today.
According to the Minister, Nigeria is determined to be a major global player in space technology, adding that Nigeria is the first sub-Saharan African country to launch and develop space technology.
The annual council which is the highest decision-making body on science policies in Nigeria will help accelerate economic development and give the country a global competitiveness advantage.
Dr. Onu further said that research institutes and agencies under the Ministry will continue to develop innovations to help the agriculture industry. He added that farmers would be able to achieve more agricultural yield and reduce post-harvest losses.
He stressed on the need for the country to be self-reliant, patronise indigenous goods and services, and encourage export and achieve a favourable balance of trade. A good balance of trade he added, will improve the overall socio-economic fortunes of Nigerians.
On youth empowerment, Dr. Onu urged youths to embark on new business start-ups, because all large industries today started as SME’s.
Earlier in a goodwill message, the deputy chairman of the House committee on Science and Research Institutions, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed, said that more efforts would be put into scientific innovations and appreciated the synergy among the scientific ecosystem in Nigeria.
On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Ambassador of Venezuela to Nigeria, His Excellency David Nieves Velásquez Caraballo,
said that the development of STI in Nigeria is a positive development and pledged that his country will continue to work closely with Nigeria for mutual benefits in many areas including STI.
Barr. Abdullahi however acknowledged that Nigeria has made steady progress and ample gains on research and innovation over the years.
The Ministry in statement signed by Maryam Zakari, said Barr. Abdullahi charged Nigerian scientists, researchers and innovators to rise up and provide verifiable statistics of the various progress made so far by Nigerians in STI
The Minister said this during the opening ceremony of the 19th Meeting of the National Council on Science Technology and Innovation, on Thursday, in Abuja.
According to the Minister, despite gains made in the past years, Nigeria still remains low in ranking of the global innovation index, 2021, this he added is as a result of lack of data activities in the Innovation Space.
He stated that Nigerians have made giant strides in Inventions and Innovations but are not adequately captured as data from relevant Institutions do not meet up with the challenges.
Barrister Abdullahi further said that one of the major challenges facing Science, Technology and Innovation Sector in developing countries like Nigeria is funding, adding that government needs to invest heavily in R&D to spur industrialization and improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
In a remark, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu, represented by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, said funding of research and development has to be sustained in order to boost STI.
He further appreciated the Leadership of the FMSTI for setting the standards and also recognizing that nation has to invest in research.
