The Minster of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said that research and innovation have moved beyond the walls of laboratories, but sit at the heart of national development, security, economic diversification, and societal transformation of the nation.
The minister disclosed this at the diplomatic briefing on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation (IMC-RI) today, in Abuja.
Nnaji said that the committee was created to unify and coordinate Nigeria’s research priorities under a single strategic framework which brings together key ministries such as Education, Health, Agriculture, Energy, ICT, Industry, Environment among others with the Vice President of the country as the chairman.
He pointed out that the mandate is to formulate a National Research and Innovation Strategy, to foster cross-sectoral collaboration, optimize funding infrastructure and build enduring strategic partnership across the globe.
Uche stated that the framework, has identified five priority sectors that hold the greatest potential to drive economic diversification, enhance competitiveness, reduce import dependency and position Nigeria for global leadership.
The five sectors are Agriculture and Climate Resilience, Manufacturing Excellence, Energy Security, Health Innovation and National Resources Optimization, he added.
The minister commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads of Mission and senior diplomats for their swift response and assured them of the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness and excellence for “together we can build an innovation-driven economy to strengthen our scientific and technological bonds”.
Speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was represented by the Director of Foreign Services, Ambassador Bola Akinremi, said that this initiative will help the nation to breakthrough in the area of innovation and also create wealth for the development of the country which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Innovation, Mr. Nasir Yammama, said for the nation to achieve a breakthrough in innovation, it is essential to implement policies that support and sustain innovation as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
He added that the committee is expected to ensure that every Nigerian is included in matters of prosperity, which encompass all aspects of life.
In her vote of thanks, the Director Planning Research and Policy Analysis, Mrs. Salamatu Mohammed, said that the success of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation depends on a continued collaboration, shared commitments and willingness to translate the outcome into tangible actions which will advance the sustainable development of our nation.
