The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has described the newly reviewed Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (2012) as a policy document that would determine the roadmap for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He made this assertion when he received the report of the committee on the review of the operational guidelines on Energy Research Centres today (February 8, 2022) in his office in Abuja.
The minister said the recommendations will be of uttermost benefit to the nation and the Federal Government will give it the attention it deserves.
He further added that the nation will “benefit tremendously” from the report, in ensuring host universities and energy research centres work harmoniously.
Onu emphasised that other research institutes will benefit from the committee’s report.
“In the past, we saw the universities and research institutes work in silos. We know that was not helpful so we believe that if there is cooperation and understanding there will be great benefits [which] we derive from one another and the nation will benefit [the] most,” he said.
Onu said the ministry is anxious to build a nation that the global community will respect, adding that Nigeria will find a way to catch up with the technologically developed nations of the world.
A statement by the ministry’s deputy director, press and public relations, Afonja Ajibola, said the minister expressed the belief that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will allow the nation to embrace all emerging technologies by promoting research and innovation.
In his remarks, the director-general, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Bala, who doubles as the committee chair, expressed optimism that the recommendations of the draft report will live up to its terms of reference.
