FG to invest more in science, technology to ensure global standard

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared his commitment and determination to appropriately invest in science, technology and innovation (STI) to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness globally.

The President made the declaration during an inaugural meeting of the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC), which held at at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said science and technology was key in driving Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies of the world by the year 2020, saying “I am aware that Nigeria must accord high priority to science and technology if it must take its rightful place among the leading economies in the modern world.

“Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020 is only attainable when science, technology and innovation are fully integrated into our national socio-economic development process. That process will now be fast tracked with the coming on board of this Council.

“I wish to assure this Council of my determination and commitment to ensure that as a nation, we will invest appropriately in science, technology and innovation in order to guarantee our competitiveness both continentally and globally. Our goal to secure our nation, grow our economy, create jobs and fight crime can best be achieved if we embrace science and technology.

“It is my fervent hope that our research and innovation output should be measured by number of Intellectual Property such as patents granted and not only by the number of articles published in scholarly journals. By this action, Nigeria will become a Centre of discoveries, inventions and innovation in all fields of science and technology. Before long we should be in a position to produce Nobel Laureates in the sciences.”

The NRIC, which was inaugurated on February 18, 2014, is geared towards coordinating and streamlining the nation’s research and development activities as well as fostering innovation. It is designed to accelerate the growth of innovation-based entrepreneurship in the country and to create conditions for the commercialisation of current and further research findings in our universities and research institutes.

The President said that it was noteworthy that the government structure of the NRIC provides for the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee (tac) consisting of technocrats from the various relevant MDAs and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to ensure full implementation of resolutions of the NRIC.

TAC, which is to be headed by the Minister of Science and Technology, is expected to meet on a monthly basis. To carry out its functions the NRIC will be guided by the Strategic Implementation Plan of the revised policy on STI.

“I therefore wish to charge you all to use your best endeavour and wealth of experience to ensure that this big responsibility placed on you is discharged in the most effective and efficient way so that the tools of Science, Technology and Innovation are adequately deployed towards the development of our country,” he said.