In a bid to spur national growth and economic diversification, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has called upon Commissioners from the country’s thirty-six states to domesticate the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (NSTIR) 2017-2030. Nnaji highlighted the roadmap’s potential to unlock the nation’s intellectual and technological resources, positioning it as a crucial tool in achieving the goals outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. The minister emphasized the need for effective implementation at the sub-national levels and the collective responsibility of various stakeholders in translating the roadmap into tangible actions.
During an interactive forum in Abuja with State Commissioners in charge of Science and Technology, Minister Nnaji underscored the importance of domesticating the NSTIR. He emphasized that realizing the enormous potential of the roadmap requires collaboration among national and sub-national governments, policymakers, academia, and the organized private sector. The objective is to transform the roadmap into concrete initiatives that yield meaningful impacts on Nigeria’s economic landscape. Minister Nnaji urged states to align their technological advancements with local priorities, addressing region-specific challenges.
Domestication of NSTIR for economic growth in the country.
This approach, he noted, would foster a more robust and resilient scientific ecosystem, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing. The minister sees this as a critical step towards ensuring that scientific endeavors contribute directly to economic growth and address the specific needs of Nigerian citizens. To amplify the impact of scientific endeavors, Nnaji called upon state commissioners to actively engage local industries, research institutions, and community stakeholders. Collaborative partnerships, he believes, will facilitate a seamless transition from research to application, ensuring that technological advancements directly benefit the citizens and contribute to economic growth.
Also, the minister emphasized the importance of building a scientific ecosystem that encourages collaboration and innovation. Minister Nnaji informed the commissioners that they play a pivotal role as primary stakeholders in the National Council on Science, Technology, and Innovation (NCSTI), also known as the “National STI Council.” He announced the council’s first meeting, scheduled for the beginning of the next quarter, providing a platform for discussions on the effective implementation of science, technology, and innovation policies at both national and state levels.
Security as a prerequisite for technological advancement.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, highlighted the unique demographic resourcefulness of each state. Properly managing these resources, she argued, would foster a culture of innovation at the grassroots level, contributing to sustainable development. Mrs. Nko-Asanye stressed that the shared responsibility of harnessing sub-national potential is crucial for effective scientific and innovative strategies to compete on a global scale. Emphasizing the importance of national security, Mrs. Nko-Asanye noted that effective technological advancement and innovation are contingent upon a secure nation.
All stakeholders, she asserted, share the responsibility of ensuring the security of Nigeria to create an environment conducive to scientific and technological progress. The Niger State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Umar Yabagi, expressed the commitment of state representatives to contribute meaningfully at the upcoming National STI Council meeting. Yabagi highlighted the significance of issuing a communique that would aid in the effective implementation of programs and projects within the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
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Chima Oriaku, the Abia State Commissioner of Science and Technology, lauded the interactive forum for providing opportunities to network. He expressed optimism that the exchange of ideas during the forum would equip state commissioners with valuable insights to enhance their respective initiatives. Oriaku emphasized the importance of building on these ideas to further propel the growth of science, technology, and innovation in Abia State. Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture, with the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology calling for the domestication of the NSTIR 2017-2030 at the state level. The roadmap, if effectively implemented, has the potential to unlock the nation’s intellectual and technological resources, contributing to economic growth and diversification.
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Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation: Website
