By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The Federal Government and the UNESCO have called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to reposition Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as driver of economic growth.
They said this on Tuesday at the opening of a three-day workshop on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Renewed Hope Agenda held in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the UNESCO in collaboration with the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHETSCO).
Dr Kingsley Udeh,Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said economies were being transformed by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital systems, space technologies and green innovations.
“For Nigeria, the message is clear, sustainable national development must be driven by science, technology and innovation.
“Science, technology and innovation remains central to digitalisation, food security, healthcare advancement, digital transformation and economic diversification.
“The Renewed Hope agenda provides a clear opportunity to reposition innovation as a strategic driver to economic growth, job creation.
“Science, Technology and Innovation must no longer be viewed as the various sectors, but as critical enablers across agriculture, health care, manufacturing, education, energy and digital economy,” he said.
On the establishment of the National Research Innovation and Development Fund (NRIDF) and recent approval by the Federal Executive Council, Udeh said the Sankore project was central to its implementation.
Udeh said the federal government was making deliberate efforts to promote research to industry collaboration, encourage demand-driven innovation, improve infrastructure and create clear pathways for commercialisation.
Dr Dimitri Sanga, Director, UNESCO West Africa and Officer-In-Charge(OIC)UNESCO Abuja, said the project was targeted as part of initiatives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda of 2030 and the African Union 2063 Development Agenda.
Represented by Dr. Enang Moma, Head of Science Sector, Sanga said that UNESCO, had over the years supported Nigeria in strengthening STI system.
“UNESCO supported Nigeria in the development of a robust national STI policy, National reporting on the 2021 Recommendation on Open Science.
“UNESCO also recognises that the translation of these policies and instruments into tangible socio-economic outcomes remains limited and there is need to strengthen the National Innovation System (NIS) for a stronger integration of research, industry, and government.
“The Nigerian Renewed Hope Agenda as a core pillar for economic growth, diversification, and national development emphasises transitioning Nigeria from an import-oriented to a production-oriented economy.
“By leveraging STI, we can support innovation-led industrialisation, commercialisation of research for local manufacturing and diversification,” he said.
Director-General of SHETSCO, Dr Magaji Aliyu, said he was committed to advocating the passing of the National Research Innovation (NRI) Council Bill, another legislation targeted at the development of the STI ecosystem.
“I intend to actively engage my former colleagues in the National Assembly at relevant committee level, to emphasise the urgency and importance of this bill for Nigerians, for future development and for global competitiveness.
“The NRI bill is critical in providing the legalisation framework necessary for Sustainable Innovation financing, effective coordination and science governance in the Nigerian STI ecosystem,” he said.
Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the national research and development spending stood at about 0.2 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Muhammad said it was below African Union’s one per cent benchmark which reflected constrained capacity to produce high quality research, retain talent and adapt to global technologies to local needs.
He said Nigeria had the capacity for quality research and could translate such into commercialised products.
“I believe the workshop is going to connect research outputs to market needs, ensuring that our laboratories fuel our factories. As a ministry, we are also strengthening strategic alliances with global partners,” he said.
The workshop was held under the Sankore Project entitled: “Strengthening UK-West Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development”.
The project, which began in March 2025 in Nigeria and Ghana, is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and aimed at establishing National Research Fund operationalisation.
The workshop had as its theme: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystem for National Development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”
The workshop also saw the presentation of the draft of the operationalisation of the Nigeria’s National Research and Innovation Framework (NRIF) to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. (NAN)http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Uche Anunne
