Science, Innovations to increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product – Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Adeleke Mamora says Science, Technology and Innovation sectors will raise the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD)

He stated this during the celebration of World Science Day in Abuja Nigeria’s capital

The Minister explained that developed and developing countries, where resources are invested in science, technology and innovation have reaped high GDPs and blooming economies adding that all development should be hinged on them for sustainability.

Mamora further stated that celebrating World Science Day for Peace and Development underscores the relationship between Science and development.

“The theme for the 2022 World Science Day for Peace and Development “Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development’’, is very key as there can be no growth and development of any nation without the appropriate utilization of Science. Science is an important tool man uses to solve his problems.“

The Minister who stressed the importance of encouraging future scientists towards greater aims revealed that the Ministry has embarked on various activities towards achieving the goal.

“The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in conjunction with other States’ related Ministries of Science and Technology have embarked on different activities, such as visits to selected secondary schools for guidance and counselling to encourage and advise them on taking Science as profession in Nigeria; the challenges as well as the benefits; excursion of selected students to notable Research Institutions to stimulate their desire for studying Basic Sciences. The students during these activities were so excited which shows that more needs to be done to encourage our future scientists. Science is for all ages, and scientific thinking should be encouraged even at the primary school level.“

He thereby encouraged investors to support and patronize innovations by Nigerians in order to boost the nation’s economy.

“I encourage Nigerians to support the World Science Day for Peace and Development, by encouraging our Researchers, Scientists, Engineers, Inventors and Innovators to do more by investing in the STI sector, patronizing their goods, products and services. Let us all imbibe Science, Technology and Innovation culture as a way of life.”

Mamora observed with great interest that the Science, Technology and Innovation sector has achieved a lot, over the past seven years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which was demonstrated through changing the narratives of inadequate funding of the ministry, improved budgetary provisions which resulted in improved R&D outputs across the ministry and her Agencies.

According to the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikoh, Science is the bedrock of development in the World and its critical component in any meaningful development cannot be overemphasized.

He further stated that Science makes life better and easier as he advised students to put more interest in STEM subjects.

The representative of the Secretary General of UNESCO, Mrs Eunice Ayara, Head, Natural Science Sector (NATCOM-UNESCO) said that the importance of the World Science Day celebration is to showcase the country’s potential to the world through Science Technology and Innovation.

PIAK