The Nigerian Government is to establish six innovation centres in the six geo-political zone of the country
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh made this known at the North Central Dialogue on; “The Establishment of Technology and Innovation Centres for Global Competitiveness and Productivity,” in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs Monilola Udoh noted that the centres are aimed at establishing a framework for consultation, sharing experiences, information and practices as well as creating a conducive environment amongst scientists.
“The Technology and Innovation centres established under the Executive Order No 5 are designed to serve as centres of excellence with the major objectives of improving on the present understanding of the role of Science Technology and Innovation in the Socio-economic development of Nigeria. The Executive Order No 5 is aimed at placing the Nigerian Professionals and Manufacturers at the centre of the Nigerian Economy. It is an instrument of this administration to midwife a new renaissance that would transform our economy from resource-based to a knowledge-based that is innovation-driven,“ Ikoh said.
The Minister said that he believes the outcome of the dialogue would result to increased patenting, innovative discoveries and inventions, the emergence of commercialization of research and improved research findings amongst scientists in the country.
The representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dr Moma Enan promised that the Organization would train the ministry about Open Science, an initiative of UNESCO that seeks to make scientific research accessible to all levels of society, amateur or professional.
“Open science seeks to create visibility for research to drive development. And I am happy to tell you that by next year God’s grace, we will be able to train the ministry as a capacity builder on the subject matter of Open science,“ she said.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Niger State, Professor Abubakar Baba Aliyu, commended the ministry for its achievements in the area of Science, Technology and Innovation STI.
PIAK
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