By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
Ministry of Science and Technology has been charged to ensure that their research and development results are up-taken in an effort at ensuring that science, technology innovations become the driver of Nigeria’s economy.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who gave the charge in his speech at the North-West Dialogue on Presidential Executive Order No. 5 and sensitization on the National Science, Technology and Innovations Road-map (NSTIR) 2030 on Friday, 17th of August, 2018 said the Federal Government is doing everything possible to shift the Nigeria economy from depending on resources to a knowledge based economy.
According to him, there is no single developed economy in the world that is resource dependent, rather, all developed economies are knowledge base and as such, Nigeria will follow suit, adding that Nigeria can have a paradox shift, a shift from resources based economy to knowledge based economy.
“You would be recalled that the Federal Government since establishing the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology gave it mandate to achieve among which include formulation, monitoring and review of National policy on Science, Technology and Innovation to attain micro-economy and social objective of Vision 20-20-20.
“The mandate also includes acquisition and application of Science, Technology and innovations contribution to increase agriculture production and creation of technology infrastructure and knowledge base to facilitate its wide application for development.
“For the ministry of science and technology to achieve its objective and fulfill its mandates, it put in structures and programmes. The ministry presently has 17 agencies which has been given their respective mandates and charged to carry out research development activities.
“Recently, this ministry has further been charged to ensure that their research and development results are up-taken, this is efforts at ensuring that science, technology innovations become the driver of Nigeria economy.
“We are doing everything possible to shift the Nigeria economy from depending on resources to a knowledge based economy. We have noted that there is no single developed economy in the world that is resource dependent, all developed economies are knowledge base and as such Nigeria should follow suit.
“Recently, 5 young girls from Regina Private Secondary school, Anambra State won Gold in the World Science, Technology and Innovation Competition where more than 110 countries including the United States of America and Germany participated.
“Nigeria can have a paradox shift, a shift from resources based economy to knowledge based economy, bearing this mind, the Minister Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu has taken it upon himself to ensure that this shift is actualized.
“The Minister has a vision, that by 2030, Nigerian should have a knowledge based economy which is why the road-map 2017-2013 was crafted. This road-map is step by step approach in Nigeria journey to actualizing a knowledge based economy by 2030. This road-map tells us where are in 2017, where we should be by 2030 and what steps we should take to reach there.
“Furthermore, to encourage science, technology and innovation, by President Muhammadu Buhari signed on the 2nd of February, 2018 signed Presidential Executive Order No. 5 which showcases the commitment of government in the promotion of domestic and foreign investments, creation of employment and stimulation of the national economy.
“It has the objective of building the capacity of Nigeria professionals and contractors involved in science, engineering and technological programmes and projects. It would also ensure acceleration of the process of technology acquisition and utilization for a rapid and sustainable growth and development of the nation.
“The Executive Order will guarantee home grown capability and capacity to maintain, re-design, re-produce, domesticate and duplicate any infrastructure that is built in Nigeria for self-reliance and development.
“You can agree with me that the federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has made the environment very conductive fro innovators and research to come home. The National Research and Innovation Fund Bill will soon be accented by President Buhari. This fund will provide robots financial bill based for our researchers.
“This will further deepen research activities and elites interest in research. I am convinces that very soon would be counted among the League of Nations the knowledge based driven economy. Let us promote these 2 documents, let us ensure that they are at the finger tips of all Nigerians. Let all Nigerians appreciate the director government is heading to so that together we can build a strong sustained economy driven by knowledge” the Minister said.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu therefore urged the members of the Science, Technology and Innovations community to get acquainted with the content of the two documents and propagated it to Nigerians.
