By Rose Okudaye
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has urged the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) to continue to reposition itself as a major problem-solving institution for Nigerian industries.
Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, gave the charge during a visit to the institute on Wednesday in Lagos, along with other senior ministry officials.
The permanent secretary stressed that FIIRO, with its 70-year history and more than 700 staff, had accomplished a lot, but added that many of its achievements are not sufficiently known to the general public.
He, therefore, emphasised the need for increased publicity and effective communication of the Institute’s activities, innovations and achievements.
The permanent secretary further explained that his visit was a follow-up to the previous meeting he had with the director-general and other heads of agencies under the Ministry.
“The purpose of this visit is to gain a better understanding of the activities and challenges of the Institute and to ensure that agencies outside Abuja are adequately considered and represented whenever important decisions concerning the ministry and its agencies are being made.
“The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu, has brought Renewed and Rekindled Hope among the agencies under the Ministry.
“He is committed to ensuring that research works and innovations developed by all agencies, including FIIRO, receive wider recognition and are showcased to the world,” the permanent secretary said.
He, therefore, urged FIIRO researchers to intensify their efforts by focusing on developing practical solutions to the challenges faced by industries.
He encouraged stronger collaboration between the Institute and industries to ensure that research findings are translated into commercially viable solutions.
According to him, such collaboration and impact-driven research will enhance FIIRO’s visibility, strengthen its relevance to industry, and position the Institute as a recognised brand in research, innovation and industrial development.
Muhammad said: “I have interacted with the management and staff of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi. This institute is one of the oldest research institute in Nigeria and it has a lot that are strategic to Research and Development.
“FIIRO has a lot to offer and the leadership is very committed to achieving its mandate. I have had discussion with them all regarding what they are doing and it aligns with the focus of the ministry which is core industrialisation and commercialisation of research products.
“I have been provided with information and knowledge about the tremendous effort they are making and I assure you that our ministry is going to support the agency and we are going to give them the full backing required to achieve more with respect to more funding.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of FIIRO, Dr Jummai Tutuwa, described the permanent secretary’s visit as a major source of encouragement and an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the ministry and the institute.
She said that the institute was established to address Nigeria’s need for coordinated industrial research and to promote research and development capable of supporting industrialisation and economic growth.
According to her, the institute originates from recommendations of a World Bank economic mission to Nigeria in 1953, adding that the economic mission identified fragmentation and lack of coordination in industrial research activities in the country.
“The Federal Institute of Industrial Research was subsequently established in 1956 to conduct and promote research and development for industrialisation and socio-economic development.
“The institute’s mandate includes identifying and developing appropriate technologies in food and agro-allied processing and other industrial areas.
“It supports the transfer and utilisation of such technologies by local manufacturing industries, as well as undertaking project feasibility studies and consultancy services,” she said.
The FIIRO director-general noted that it currently operated several technical and non-technical departments and had six zonal offices across the country in addition to its headquarters in Lagos.
Tutuwa added that the zonal offices had been moved to their permanent sites since the current management assumed office in 2022, with their laboratories equipped to conduct research on bioresources available within their respective regions.
She noted that the zonal offices had exceeded management’s expectations, with several of them producing and developing locally-made products and innovations that had been showcased at national exhibitions.
Tutuwa also disclosed that the institute operated 55 laboratories and workshops where research and innovation activities are carried out, saying that some of the facilities required urgent renovation and structural intervention due to their age.
Despite the infrastructure challenges, the FIIRO boss said its research efforts had continued to receive national recognition, having clinched first position at the annual Science Expo organised by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in both 2022 and 2023.
She further showcased a range of recent research breakthroughs and innovations developed at its headquarters and zonal offices, including products and technologies for food processing, health management, renewable energy, agriculture and industrial applications.
“Some of the innovations include pharmaceutical and natural products, low-glycemic food products, locally sourced flour and confectionery materials, organic fertiliser, medicinal products, wines and other value-added agricultural products.
“Also machines have been designed and fabricated to support employment and industrial development,” she said.
She said many of the research outputs had been patented, while others were at different stages of the patenting process.
Tutuwa reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, innovation and excellence, pledging continued support for the policies and directives of the ministry and the Federal Government.
The director-general said the institute had maintained partnerships with several local and international organisations, including regulatory agencies, standards bodies and professional institutions.
She added that it had partnerships with manufacturers, small and medium-scale enterprises and development partners.
She expressed optimism that the visit by the ministry’s leadership would deepen cooperation and provide greater support for the institute to fulfil its mandate as Nigeria’s foremost industrial research institution.
The ministry’s delegation is also expected to tour FIIRO’s laboratories and workshops to gain first-hand knowledge of the research, technologies and innovations being developed by the institute. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
