President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will undertake more investments and policy actions that would promote research and developments, especially in science and technology in the country to correct the neglect of the past governments.
Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistance on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the declaration on Monday after receiving a briefing on the activities of the Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja. “President Buhari declared that his administration will dedicate more resources and energy to the sector because no country could make progress without serious commitment to the development of science and technology,” the statement reads in part.
The President said that he will fully encourage the work of the Ministry of Science and Technology because innovations from the various research institutes under its supervision could also impact positively on industrial development and manufacturing in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita had enumerated several challenges facing the ministry, which include perennial poor funding and the lack of recognition on the part of successive governments of science and technological innovation as a major driver of economic development.
On her part, Mrs. Oyo-Ita told the President that the focus of the Ministry had moved from academic research to market-based innovative research aimed at boosting industrialization. She asked for more support and political will from the Federal Government to encourage scientific research, innovation and local manufacturing.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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