The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has engaged stakeholders and citizens on the implementation of the Federal Government’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies, projects and programmes.
The engagement, which held in Abuja this Wednesday as the ministry’s 3rd Quarter 2026 Stakeholders and Citizens Ministerial Engagement, brought together representatives of government agencies, research institutions, academia, industry and other stakeholders within the STI ecosystem.
Declaring the engagement open, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, inclusiveness and effective communication between the ministry and citizens.
Udeh described science, technology and innovation as critical tools for addressing national challenges, accelerating economic development, creating employment opportunities and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.
He said the Federal Government recognised that successful implementation of STI policies and programmes required continuous engagement with stakeholders and citizens.
According to him, contributions, observations and feedback from stakeholders were essential to ensuring that government initiatives effectively respond to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
The minister also stressed the need to move beyond research and innovation to the practical application and commercialisation of ideas and technologies capable of creating value, generating employment and contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.
He urged participants to provide constructive feedback on the implementation of the ministry’s policies, projects and programmes, while identifying challenges and proposing practical solutions.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, mni, described the engagement as an important platform for the ministry to interact directly with stakeholders, listen to citizens’ concerns and obtain feedback on the impact and implementation of its STI initiatives across the country.
Muhammad said the Federal Government recognised STI as critical drivers of national development, economic diversification, job creation and improved quality of life.
He emphasised that successful implementation of STI policies and programmes required the collective efforts of government institutions, researchers, academia, the private sector, development partners, innovators and citizens.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. Abubakar Sambo, called for sustained investment in research and development, stressing that adequate funding was essential to strengthening Nigeria’s scientific and technological capacity.
Sambo also urged stakeholders to create an enabling environment for innovation and invest in building the capacity of young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the country’s emerging science and technology ecosystem.
The engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders and citizens to contribute to discussions on the implementation of the government’s STI programmes and offer recommendations for improving their impact across the country.
