By Dele Ogbodo
In what observers see as likely precursor to the major cabinet shake-up coming in his cabinet as is being bandied by political analysts, on May 29, President Bola Tinubu, on Friday approved the appointments of Dr. Adepoju Olumide as new Director General (DG/CEO), National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Raw Materials research and Development Council and Dr. Oby Amadiobi, DG, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
Two of the appointees are already conversant with runnings in the Innovation, Science and Technology Ministry, as Dr. Adepoju Olumide who formally held sway as Director in the space agency, will be replacing Dr. Halilu Ahmad.
While Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, will be mounting the leadership position at the Raw Material Council, has been part of the kitchen cabinet of the Minister, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnanji, since 2023 in the capacity as Senior Technical Assistant and therefore can be claimed to be familiar with the dynamics of the Ministry.
He takes over from Dr. Emmanuel Kwaya, who also has been in acting capacity as DG for the Council, few months after the exit of Prof. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim.
Dr. Mrs. Amadiobi, who is taking over leadership baton from Dr. Mrs. Idoreyin Imiyoho, is coming in as a fresher in the Ministry, with relatively unknown background is expected to drive the agency mandated to regulate foreign technology inflows into the country.
Recall that NOTAP has been at the forefront of driving national initiatives to regulate foreign technology inflow, developing technology acquisition, adaptation, and domestication strategies, and promoting indigenous technological activities.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Publi Relations, Mr. Atuora Obed, said the appointments take immediate effect.
