The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji is a progressive with a forward-looking and thoughtful impetus inspired by the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda mandate of President Bola Tinubu. I cannot but proudly commend the bold, transformative steps he has taken to restore sanity in the STI ecosystem since assuming office two years ago.
I want to respectfully recognise, among other qualities, the minister’s style of “running an open government with a listening ear and being very accessible.” This is both profound and germane.
Under his visionary leadership, the ministry is not just focused on research outputs but also on their commercialisation.
Astute, open and ready to listen, Nnaji, from day one, rejected the traditional trappings of a man at the top. More notably, he championed an inclusive approach in formulating and charting a course for the commercialisation of research outputs in the STI sector.
Indeed, his first major move was the approval of PROD-ME: the project delivery, monitoring and evaluation team in the office of the minister. This body supports his office by coordinating and prioritising the ministry’s projects to ensure alignment with the presidential agenda, while monitoring implementation frameworks to ensure activities remain in sync with prioritised projects.
The full implementation of the STI Policy 2022 is well underway. The ministry is engaging with other MDAs – most notably the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – to ensure AI adoption is aligned with global trends. Nnaji has increased stakeholder engagement by creating a living framework that deepens and sustains collaboration. There is no doubt we can leap forward at a time when the world is calling attention to the role of AI. The ministry is committed to ensuring AI benefits everyone on the planet, including the planet itself.
Nnaji has been promoting initiatives that advance innovation and creativity, especially through active engagement with the organised private sector. He is enforcing the implementation of local content guidelines to ensure patronage of indigenous products and services (E005) and increase Nigerian participation in the STI economy.
Nnaji has demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility towards his national assignment by holding STI operators accountable for operational lapses while formulating policies that entrench commercialisation best practices.
Stakeholders in the STI sector agree that the phenomenal growth of the sector is a testament to the hard work and tireless contribution of Nnaji and his team over the past two years. He has proposed launching a Nigeria–Brazil Science and Innovation Dialogue to solidify high-level commitment and co-develop flagship projects. Nnaji has also revisited the terms of the MOU signed between Nigeria and Cuba. The ministry is working toward establishing a Nigeria–Cuba Innovation and Biotechnology Working Group and is planning to host a bilateral science and technology summit soon.
Nnaji is indeed walking the talk—for prosperity, for science and for generations to come.
For too long, Africa has exported raw materials and imported dependency. That narrative must end. The country is shifting from raw extraction to refined production, from extraction to transformation. The ministry is investing in local content policies, digital traceability systems, and commercialisation frameworks to ensure that Africa’s resources serve Africa first, building on the impressive track record of a dynamic industry.
Nnaji recently drew the attention of the National Assembly to its critical oversight responsibilities in enforcing Nigerian local content provisions on the Mambilla Hydro-electric Power Project throughout its duration, as well as the need for legislative and executive alignment in planning the project. The ministry is working closely with the National Assembly on this landmark national initiative.
Perhaps better known as a quiet operator committed to open and accountable governance, Nnaji is poised to balance innovation and regulation in the AI era through strategic collaboration among MDAs. This grounding provides the ministry with both the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure a seamless interface for national development.
Let us rise above the distractions of social media cynicism and pay attention to the bigger picture of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda in the STI ecosystem.
For Nnaji and his team in the STI space, it can only get better—with so much work already in progress.
Oghuma is the special assistant, technical administration, to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and deputy lead, PROD-ME.
