The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, has called for the active publicity of Research outcomes in Nigeria institutions in order to achieve its sole aim of commercialization.
Dr. Mamora said this during the special day of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), at the ongoing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) EXPO in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
The Minister noted that there are many great research outcomes that could rejuvenate the Nigerian economy in research institutes but have only ended on the shelves.
“The major challenge is how to get these research outcomes to the market, because until it is taken to the market, we cannot say we are there,” the Minister said.
The Director General of FIIRO, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, said the institute has participated significantly in supporting the full diversification of Nigeria’s economy through research breakthroughs.
She noted that the agency focused on Research and Development (R&D) activities that are market driven and demand oriented.
“In order to support this drive, we have conducted cutting edge research on some raw materials readily available in Nigeria leading to the development of not less than 250 technologies, resulting in the creation of profitable enterprises which invariably has led to generation of jobs through its multiplier effects, thereby reducing poverty and earning of foreign exchange.”
Dr. Tutuwa listed the latest R&D products, goods and services embarked by FIIRO for presentation in the ongoing 2023 STI EXPO to include the development and Production of Packaged Feed for Growing Snails, Heat-Treated Ductile Iron for the Production of Brake Disc, Brake Pads from Palm Kernel Shell Composites, African Yam Bean, Kunu Zaki Production Technology, Slippers Sole Mold Manual, and Fruit Washer Technology.
She further listed some of the notable existing achievements of FIIRO to include development and production of High Nutrient Biscuits for School Age children, Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods for the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition, Nutraceuticals for the Management of Diseases such as Sickle Cell Anaemia, Antilpemic/Hypolipidemic from Selected Fruits for the management of Obesity, prototypes of basic home utilities amongst others.
In the area of collaboration, Dr. Tutuwa noted that FIIRO is working with Universities, polytechnics and companies on their R&D products, goods and services.
“We all know that the Nigeria’s economy has been a mono- cultural type where oil and gas constitute 95% of the Country’s export earnings and 70% of the government’s revenue drive. There is need for diversification of the economy by revitalizing other sectors of the economy, especially the STI, which cuts across all other sectors” she said.
Dr. Tutuwa requested investors and other relevant partners to invest in the institute’s cutting edge R&D products, goods and services in order to achieve Nigeria’s diversification agenda of moving from consumption to production economy through effective utilization of Science, Technology and Innovation.
