In an effort to scale back Nigeria’s dependence on imports and strengthening native manufacturing and job creation, the Federal Government has revealed plans for a nationwide roadmap to align analysis and innovation in science and expertise with market and industrial wants.
Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, disclosed this Monday in Abuja, throughout a hearth chat on “Reshaping Nigeria’s Potential in Science, Technology and Innovation” organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
Udeh mentioned Nigeria’s main problem within the science, expertise and innovation (STI) area shouldn’t be the absence of expertise or sources, however weak coordination and fragmentation throughout authorities companies, academia and the personal sector.
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According to him, the proposed STI roadmap is designed to join these gamers and be sure that analysis outputs reply instantly to nationwide priorities and market demand.
“Nigeria has abundant human and natural resources, but the lack of synergy within the STI ecosystem has limited our ability to convert research into commercial value,” he mentioned.
The minister mentioned analysis establishments and universities would more and more be inspired to tie tasks to industrial and nationwide wants, with funding assist from each authorities and the personal sector.
“We are moving away from issuing patent certificates that end up on shelves. The focus now is on connecting inventors to agencies and industry players that can help translate research into products and services,” Udeh defined.
The minister highlighted the passage of a invoice mandating a minimal of 30 per cent worth addition to uncooked supplies earlier than export, describing it as a coverage lever to stimulate industrial analysis, innovation and native processing. He mentioned the legislation, as soon as assented to, would drive demand for utilized analysis and innovation throughout key worth chains.
On capability constructing, Udeh mentioned the federal government is reviewing the situation and effectiveness of innovation hubs and mental property switch centres throughout the nation, with plans to optimise them to international requirements and strengthen their hyperlinks with trade.
In his remarks, Chukwuka Onyekwene, Executive Director, CSEA, mentioned sustained innovation-led progress will rely largely on deliberate coverage motion, particularly elevated funding in schooling and analysis funding.
