FG To Establish Six Science Acquisition Centers

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the private sector, is set to establish six science acquisition centres in each of the geopolitical zones in the country in order to make youths appreciate home developed scientific innovation.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed this in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Technology and Innovation Expo in Abuja on Monday.

At the event themed, “Fast Tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology”, Osinbajo, who represented President Buhari, said the move was part of government’s efforts to create a nurturing environment for technology and innovation in the country.

He also stated that the Federal Government is building technological hubs in the public universities across the country.

According to him, “It is our intention as a government to utilise those initiatives to stimulate global competitiveness of our raw materials and support our ambition for a diversified economy. In September 2016, the State House hosted the first Aso Villa Demo Day to showcase innovation, since then the World Bank has supported a batch of those innovations with about $3 million, the first tranche of which has already been disbursed. I am pleased to note that World Bank is committing an additional $3 million for six technology hubs across Nigeria in our universities.

” As contained in executive Order Five, we will also establish centres for acquisition of technology in each of the geopolitical zones of the country. We will provide intervention funds that will strengthen research and development through training programs and partnerships in Nigeria universities and polytechnics.

‘’We are also setting up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones. And this is important also as we do this to celebrate the creativity and innovation of many of our young Nigerians who are doing incredible things in science and technology.

“As part of our own effort to create emerging environment for technology band innovation in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved a new science and technology innovation roadmap 2012-2030 for Nigeria. He has also approved National Strategy for Competitiveness in raw materials and product development in Nigeria.”

He said in addition that “the federal government planned to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem by supporting the development of new innovation hubs in partnership with the private sectors, “and this is well on course.”

Osinbajo urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to align and ensure that the lofty intent of the recently signed Presidential Executive Order for supplying and execution of projects and programmes, especially in the area of science, engineering and technology, are met.

Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu revealed that patents for research findings, which were processed through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), increased from 16 in 2016 to 50 by the end of 2017, stating that it is a clear evidence of a remarkable improvement in the level of innovation in Nigeria.

The Technology and Innovation Expo aims to promote commercialization of research and development results to aid diversification of the economy

Yesterday, Vice President @ProfOsinbajo declared open the Technology and Innovations Expo 2018 at the Eagles Square, Abuja. He also inspected exhibition stalls at he expo. Ministers and National Assembly members were present at the opening. pic.twitter.com/1PsEfJOzEI

— Government of Nigeria (@AsoRock) March 6, 2018