Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has urged the people to prioritise Nigerian goods, ‘’as they meet high standard and contribute to the economy”.
He spoke at a training for youths and women on Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi-(FIIRO)-developed technologies, in Abuja.
The training is to upskill in youths and women in FIIRO’s developed technologies, including cassava and potato bread production, mushroom cultivation, cosmetics, date syrup manufacturing and conversion of diesel generators to compressed natural gas.
The minister said: “The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is committed to advancing Nigeria’s industrial and technological base, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, which includes fighting poverty, driving economic growth and fostering job creation.
‘‘Through strategic initiatives, we leverage science, technology and innovation (STI) to tackle poverty, create jobs and boost economic resilience. Transforming our research, development and innovation into market-ready products is essential for growth and long-term sustainability.
‘‘Programmes as this bridge the gap from research to market, generating foreign exchange and creating jobs.
“They enable commercialisation of research and development products, which aligns with our goals of strengthening the naira and diversifying the economy. FIIRO’s technologies support our youths and women by providing them with skills to create businesses, develop self-sufficiency and contribute to our country’s socio-economic development.
“To meet our goals, our ministry established strategic partnerships, signing MoUs to leverage Nigeria’s local raw materials and human resources. By working with regional agencies, we utilise our resources to drive innovation in the geopolitical zones. Our technology and innovation centres serve as hubs where stakeholders in the STI ecosystem come together to enhance R&D applications and foster innovation, supporting the movement towards industrial and economic strength, as envisioned in the President’s eight-point agenda.
“I encourage our trainees to approach this with dedication, forming innovation clusters to promote Nigeria’s transition from a consumption-based to a production-driven economy. We will support you in establishing small businesses, fulfilling our commitment to the President’s agenda of economic empowerment”.
