ABUJA, Nigeria – Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, announced that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate with stakeholders to foster economic growth in Nigeria. The announcement was made during the official presentation of the Nigeria Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Coordination Summit and Think-Tank Report on the Eight Presidential Priority Areas under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Chief Nnaji emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach in tackling national challenges and ensuring a prosperous future for Nigeria. He highlighted the government’s keen interest in establishing a National Research and Development Innovation (RDI) Coordination Centre. This center, under the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, aims to integrate and enhance RDI efforts across the nation.
“Today, I am pleased to formally announce that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is highly interested in the creation of the National Research and Development Innovation (RDI) Coordination Centre. This center will serve as a strategic hub for integrating and enhancing our RDI efforts nationwide, ensuring that we capitalize on our collective knowledge and resources,” Nnaji stated.
The announcement came as a delegation from Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development (RIKESP), led by Executive Director Dr. Mustapha Ayo Poopola, presented a report on the Nigeria Research Development Innovation Coordination Summit and Think-Tank of the Eight Presidential Priority Areas.
Nnaji urged all agencies under the Ministry to fully engage with the RDI Coordination Centre. He commended the dedication and commitment of the team involved, expressing confidence that their combined efforts would build a brighter and more prosperous Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, also spoke at the event. She highlighted the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in national development, stating that no country can develop without the full deployment of scientific tools across all sectors of the economy.
Mrs. Nko-Asanye emphasized that the Ministry is working on enhancing the transformation of research and development products into goods and services for commercialization and economic growth.
Dr. Mustapha Ayo Poopola, Executive Director of RIKESP, reiterated the project’s goal of using science, technology, innovation, research, and development to address the president’s eight priority areas for socio-economic development. He urged the Ministry and government agencies to work synergistically to achieve these goals.
This initiative represents a significant step towards harnessing Nigeria’s potential through coordinated research and development efforts, aiming for substantial socio-economic advancements.
I
