The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation has applauded the previous editions of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo saying it is yielding desired results.
Chief Henry Ikoh made this known when he briefed journalists ahead of the Science, Technology and Innovation STI Expo 2023 scheduled for Monday, 16th to Friday, 20th January in Abuja Nigeria’s Capital.
The Minister noted that improvements have been recorded in research conducts and STI inputs towards strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
“I am happy to inform you that the previous editions of the programme have been yielding the desired results. Many products have been commercialized. Researchers, Innovators and Investors have interacted and are interacting through knowledge sharing and working together to come up with products that could solve national problems. Also, the duplication of R&D among Research Institutions has reduced to the barest minimum. Moreover, it has strengthened the Research institutions and industry interface encouraging market driven research,” he said.
Chief Ikoh noted that the Nigerian economy has long been reliant on the oil and gas sector, and with the volatility of oil prices there was the need to diversify the economy with the help of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) which holds great potential for the country.
“STI has the power to transform the Nigerian economy in several ways. Firstly, it can lead to the creation of new industries and businesses, thereby increasing employment opportunities and boosting economic growth. Secondly, it can lead to the development of new products and services, which can be exported to other countries, thereby increasing foreign exchange earnings. Thirdly, it can lead to the development of new technologies that can be used to improve the efficiency and productivity of existing industries, thereby increasing competitiveness,” Chief Ikoh said.
The Minister called for more access to funding, encourage culture of innovation within government and private sector organizations, as well as collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“I invite all Nigerians who are interested in Inventions and Innovations from Research Institutes, Federal/States MDAs, Polytechnics, Industrial Laboratories, Private Sectors, International Communities, Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Organized Private Sector (OPS), Nigerians in diaspora, etc, to the Expo 2023 to showcase their inventions and innovations.
“I also invite students from all over the country to bring their inventions and innovations to the event. The Ministry will provide support to those inventions and innovations that could tackle emerging problems in the country through Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) grant,” he stated.
Chief Ikoh further informed that there would be presentation of the three Best Young Scientists of Nigeria, 2023 to President Muhammadu Buhari for Presidential hand shake at the Opening Ceremony.
“Mr. President annually grants scholarship to these Scientists to study any science course of their choice in any of our universities from First Degree up to the PhD levels. There will be presentation of awards to outstanding Research and Development products at the Closing Ceremony on Friday, 20th January, 2023,” he said.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Mrs. Monilola Udoh elucidated that the first edition of the expo which replaced the National Science and Technology (NASTECH) Week was held in 2017 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
She explained that after the first edition, technology and innovation expos have been held annually.
“The Technology and Innovation Expo is a Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation exposition programme designed to strategically showcase the use of science for technological inventions, innovations and, majorly, the research and development (R&D) products and results of the FMSTI’s agencies to attract investors,” she stated.
The 2023 Technology and Innovation Expo is with the theme “Actualising Effective Diversification of Nigerian Economy Through STI”.
Lateefah Ibrahim
