By Dele Ogbodo and Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Thursday said the uptake of Research and Development (R/D) results by investors, weak collaboration, inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, and weak institutional capacity as the challenges hindering the implementation of Nigeria’s 2012 Science and Technology policy.
He said the enormous potential of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (NSTIR), which is in line with President Bola Tinubus’ Renewed Hope Agenda is only realizable when it is effectively implemented at the subnational levels.
While stressing that domesticating the roadmap is crucial, the Minister who spoke at the first interactive forum for State Commissioners in Charge of Science technology in Abuja, said designing a workable template involves the collective responsibility of national and sub-national governments, policy makers, academia and the organized private sector.
He added that it is this stakeholders that willtranslate the roadmap into tangible actions that will produce meaningful results and impacts.
According to him, the NSTIR 2017-2030 is to catalyse the effective implementation of programmes and projects in the STI ecosystem in the country, adding that it targets among others the mobilsation of Nigeria’s intellectual resources for growth and diversification of the economy, provision of incentives for all stakeholders, improvement of science infrastructure, intensification of R/D and ddeveloment of talents and skills.
The Minister urged the 36 states to align their technological advancements with local priorities, providing solutions for region specifics challenges and promoting and a more robust and resilient scientific ecosystem that fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing.
He said: “This alignment will ensure inclusivity, unlock the immense potential of our nations’s intellectual and technological resources and propel our states to the forefront of technological advancement.”
Nnaji, urged the Commissioners to actively engage the local industries, research institutions and community stakeholders.
“By fostering collaborative partnership, we can amplify the impact of our scientific endeavours and create a seamless transition from research to application, which will spur economic growth and ensure our technological advancements meet the needs of our citizens.”