“We Will Correct Past Neglect Of Research, Science And Technology” – Buhari
Fatimah Abdullahi
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the Ministry of Science and Technology that his administration would take concrete actions to correct the neglect of research, science and technology by past governments.
President Buhari made this assurance in Abuja on Monday after receiving a brief on the activities of the ministry.
According to Mr President, his administration would dedicate more resources and energy to the sector.
He said, “no country could make progress without serious commitment to the development of science and technology”.
President promised the ministry led by its Permanent Secretary, Mrs Winifre Oyo-Ita, that he would fully encourage them, as he believes innovations from the various research institutes under the ministry supervision could impact positively on industrial development and manufacturing in Nigeria.
Mrs Oyo-Ita, at the briefing informed Mr President the focus of the ministry had moved from mere academic research to market-based inovative research, aimed at boosting industrialisation.
Reeling out challenges hindering the ministry effectiveness, which she listed as perennial poor funding and the lack of recognition on the part of successive governments of science and technological innovation as a major driver of economic development, the PS, asked for more support and political will from the President to encourage scientific research, innovation and local manufacturing.
