Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, has harassed the necessity for Nigeria to harness Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to strengthen meals safety, enhance healthcare supply and diversify the nation’s economy.
He emphasised that sustainable nationwide improvement can solely be achieved via deliberate funding in science, know-how and innovation.
Speaking on the opening of a National Concertation on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the Renewed Hope Agenda and the operationalisation of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) in Abuja on Tuesday, Udeh mentioned the world is at the moment being reshaped by knowledge-driven economies powered by innovation and fast technological development.
The occasion was organised by the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
According to the minister, rising applied sciences comparable to synthetic intelligence, biotechnology, digital programs, area know-how and inexperienced innovation are reworking world economies and creating new alternatives for progress and competitiveness.
Despite Nigeria’s monumental potential, Udeh lamented that analysis outputs within the nation are nonetheless not being adequately translated into industrial merchandise, industrial options and measurable socio-economic influence.
He mentioned the state of affairs highlights the pressing want for stronger coordination, deeper collaboration and a decisive shift from coverage formulation to implementation.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda provides a clear opportunity to reposition Science, Technology and Innovation as a strategic driver of economic growth and job creation,” he mentioned.
Udeh harassed that STI ought to now not be considered as a standalone sector however as a vital enabler throughout agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, training, vitality and the digital economy.
He referred to as for the strengthening of Nigeria’s nationwide innovation system via nearer collaboration amongst authorities businesses, universities, analysis establishments, industries and improvement companions.
According to him, the nation should intentionally promote research-to-industry partnerships, encourage demand-driven innovation, enhance infrastructure and set up clear pathways for commercialising analysis outcomes.
“One of the things we must do as we build our innovation ecosystem is to ensure that research outcomes are commercialised. We are not just funding research and innovation for academic purposes; we are funding them to reach the market and industry,” he mentioned.
The minister additional said that Nigeria’s focus have to be on constructing a performance-driven STI ecosystem able to delivering measurable outcomes, supporting innovation-driven enterprises and enhancing the nation’s competitiveness within the world information economy.
“Government funding must serve as a catalyst for private sector participation and sustainable innovation,” he added.
Earlier, the Director-General of SHESTCO, Hon. Magaji Aliyu, mentioned Nigeria stands at a vital stage the place the deliberate utility of science, know-how and innovation should transfer from aspiration to sensible implementation.
While acknowledging the existence of a number of insurance policies and institutional frameworks, Aliyu famous that the disconnect between analysis findings and tangible socio-economic influence stays a significant problem.
According to him, bridging the hole would require strategic collaboration, sustained engagement, deliberate funding and daring coverage choices.
“This consultation provides a unique platform for stakeholders to collectively assess the current state of Nigeria’s innovation system, identify systemic gaps and propose practical solutions capable of repositioning the sector for national development,” he mentioned.
Aliyu emphasised that innovation can solely thrive inside an ecosystem the place authorities, academia, {industry} and improvement companions work collectively to remodel concepts into merchandise, companies and financial worth.
He described the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) as a strategic intervention designed to deal with the long-standing problem of insufficient and fragmented funding for analysis and innovation in Nigeria.
According to him, a clear and correctly structured funding mechanism would unlock the large potential of Nigerian researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and establishments.
Aliyu additionally pledged to advocate for the passage of the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) Bill, which he described as important for offering the authorized and institutional framework wanted for sustainable innovation financing and efficient coordination of Nigeria’s STI ecosystem.
“I intend to actively engage my former colleagues in the National Assembly and relevant committees to emphasize the urgency and strategic importance of this Bill for Nigeria’s future development and global competitiveness,” he mentioned.
Also talking, the Director of UNESCO’s Dakar Regional Office and OIC Abuja Office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, famous that science, know-how and innovation stay vital instruments for poverty eradication, socio-economic improvement and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addition to the African Union Agenda 2063.
Sanga harassed that international locations can solely construct stronger STI programs via sound insurance policies, institutional strengthening and elevated collaboration amongst scientists, policymakers, industries, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations.
According to him, a multi-dimensional and collaborative method is important for international locations in search of sustainable improvement and world competitiveness.