- Adamu: FIIRO’s cutting-edge research has produced 250 breathtaking technologies
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, on Tuesday commended the Director General/CEO of the Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, Dr. Jummai Adamu on the vigour and enthusiasm that she is bringing to bear at the institute.
Speaking at the Day 2 of the 2023 Expo, he said: I want to thank Dr. Jummai Adamu, for what she is doing using research driven and innovation for production of goods and services in the country.
Now you have every reason to justify the establishment of FIIRO haven been in existence for several years now. You have done well, but there is so much to do and you can do even better.
While speaking on the need to diversify the economy, the DG, acknowledged that FIIRO’S research breakthroughs have been acclaimed as global trademark, adding: “In order to support this drive, we have conducted cutting edge research on some raw materials readily available in Nigeria leading to the development of not less than 250 technologies.
According to her, this has resulted in the creation of profitable enterprises which invariably has led to generation of jobs through its multiplier effects, thereby reducing poverty and earning of foreign exchange.
We also focused on R&D activities that are market driven, demand oriented and can move Nigeria from import dependent to sustainable self-reliant and production for exports.
She listed the research findings as: “The development and production of High Nutrient Biscuits for School Age children, ii. Development and Production of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods for the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM, iii. Nutraceuticals for the Management of Diseases such as Sickle Cell Anaemia-Research and Commercialization, iv. Development of Antilpemic/Hypolipidemic from Selected Fruits for the, Management of Obesity, v. Utilization of Neem Extracts for Production of Neem Skin Care/Oral Hygiene Products, vi. Development and Production of Fibre-Enriched Bread, vii. Development and Production of Fishmeal Analogue from Alternative Sources: viii Production and Utilization of Industrial Enzymes; and ix Development and Processing of Fresh Tomatoes into Different Food Forms.”
Recognizing the role innovation plays in industrializing a nation for socio-economic development and sustainability, the DG, said FIIRO has provided prototypes of some critical STI equipment which also include: i. The Fruits and Vegetables Washer, Powered by 3HP Geared Electric Motor; ii. Production of Mechanical Grains Dehuling Machine: iii. Designed and Fabricated Pepper Grinding Machine: iv. Designed, Developed and Launched Prototype PGM; vi. Designed and Fabricated DHA Generator, Vegetable Dryer and HGT.
In the realization of the fact that the development of our STI Sector needs serious collaboration with other relevant stakeholders to thrive, FIIRO is currently working with the following Organizations on its R&D products, goods and services.
The DG underscores that FIIRO takes the issue of R&D as a priority and as such embarked on many Programmes and Projects resulting to development of products, goods and services to her credits, too numerous to mention, which can be attested to the projects displayed in our stand.
She explained that Nigeria’s economy has been a mono- cultural type where oil and gas constitute 95% of the country’s export earning, and 70% of the government’s revenue drive, adding that there is need for diversification of the economy by revitalizing other sectors of the economy, especially the STI, which cuts across all other sectors.
Adamu, called for serious commitment by all players in Nigerian’s STI sector to move the economy from consumption to production geared towards Nigeria’s economic growth, liberation and self-reliant.
She said: “Our mono-economy dependence on oil and gas, which is non-renewable, has kept us far away from meaningful development that would have made us respected among comity of nations. This is attributed to our inability to properly utilize STI as the fulcrum for modern development. It is to be noted that all developed and developing countries all over the world are where they are today because they realized that it is only through Science, Technology and Innovation, that all our problems can be tackled.
“It is an established fact that STI holds the key to the present and future development of any nation as it plays a fundamental role in wealth creation, improvement of quality of life and real economic growth and transformation in any society.”
FIIRO’s boss, said it is regrettable to note that there exists technological power vacuum in Nigeria and the earlier we realize that as a country the better for us, stressing that it is unarguable that the only way out is for Nigeria is to invest adequately and also mobilize her human resource in the STI sector.
According to her, this will enable the country come out strong to tackle the technological challenges with ease thereby arresting the menace of poverty and the evil youth restiveness, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry currently ravaging the country.
