The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Dr. Adeleke Mamora has described the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos as “a great asset to the nation”.
Speaking during a familiarisation tour of FIIRO, a parastatal under the ministry, Mamora said the agency has produced various research outputs that have strengthened the science, technology and innovation sector in the country.
He enumerated some of the products as motor, processed and bottled palm wine, cassava bread, fish feeds, ceramics products, textiles design products, pepper-grinding machines and other related machines for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as entrepreneurship training on transfer technology among others.
Adeleke stressed that FIIRO, despite challenges of inadequate funding and exorbitant cost of materials has been able to research, produce the items and trained youths who are now self-employed.
The minister further said that FIIRO can improve its internally generated Revenue (IGR) and that of the country through collaboration and commercialisation of its research and innovation products, adding that science, technology, innovation and commitment to the public’s interest are inevitable routes to Nigeria’s greatness.
According to the minister, FIIRO is a great asset to the socio-economic development and growth of the nation and enjoined the management and workers to continue with their teamwork to improve and sustain the success already achieved.
To this end, Mamora said that Federal Government will ensure that commercialisation of research products and funding of FIIRO to encourage its laudable achievements toward diversification and a sustainable economy is inevitable.
Earlier, the FIIRO director-general, Dr. Jummai Tutuwa said that FIIRO has contributed immensely to research and development (R&D) targeted at the industrialisation and growth of the country.
A statement by the deputy director, press and public relations, Mr. Atuora Obed, said Tutuwa revealed that a majority of the R&D products have been patented and are ready for commercialization. Also, he noted that it will enhance revenue-generation and the sustainable economy of the organisation and the nation.
She lamented that inadequate funding is hindering the timely research and progress of the institute and appealed to the minister to intervene by increasing the budgetary allocation to the organisation.
