The Federal Government will engage entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other critical stakeholders in a bid to promote and boost scientific innovations in Nigeria,Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, has said.
He disclosed who stated this at a media briefing and commemoration of the 2021 World Science Day for Peace and Development.
He explained that the development was in line with the Ministry’s recent rebranding efforts and its fresh mandate to boost scientific innovations in the country.
He implored Nigerians to use science to fully understand “who we are so that the journey to greatness can be smoother and easier.”
He added: “We must, as a nation, change our orientation and pay more attention to science so that we can rapidly develop our nation for the good of all. By doing this, Nigeria will become self reliant and be respected by other nations across the world.”
He also disclosed that the Federal Government has begun the development of scientific policies, adding that some policies have been developed and are at different stages of implementation.
These policies, according to him, include National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap 2017-2030; National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development; Presidential Executive Order No. 5; Leather and Leather Products Policy and the Methanol Fuel Production Technology Policy.
He further that the ministry is working to submit to the Federal Executive Council other policies on nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, bioethics and biotechnology.
He noted that the ministry recently inaugurated, Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Nigerian Chemical and Material Industry Action Programme (NiCMIAP), adding that observations have been made on the absence of a well developed chemical industry, which is a major gap in the Nigeria’s quest to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.
