Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the World Economic Forum (WEF), indicated Nigeria’s improvement in global competitiveness from position 124 in 2015 and 2016 to 114 in 2018 and 2019.
Onu, who disclosed this yesterday at the 20th Meeting of the National Council on Science, Technology and Innovation (NCSTI) in Abuja, said a total of 140 nations were involved in the ranking.
He attributed policies such as the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development, with the Presidential Executive Order 5 as contributing to this improvement.
He also recalled that in 2019, the patents facilitated by the National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), under the supervision of his ministry, contributed 65% of the total patents generated in the country.
Onu advised that states should ensure that they take the advantage of the resolutions of the council meetings in planning the pathway for the development of their various states.
He said: “STI is the key that will unlock tremendous opportunities and liberate the latent energy of our dear nation. All aspects of our national life will be positively affected.”
The minister observed that the COVID-19 pandemic taught Nigeria the importance of self-reliance.
“The Russia-Ukraine war also shows clearly that every nation must effectively utilise its resources to ensure that its territorial integrity will always be protected.
“Also, the adverse effect in the anticipated shortfall in imported wheat for bread production arising from this war can be ameliorated by utilising research and innovation work already carried out by the Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO),” he said.
The Russia-Ukraine war also shows clearly that every nation must effectively utilise its resources to ensure that its territorial integrity will always be protected.
The minister said that FIIRO, through research and innovation, had produced bread of comparative quality with 20% substitution of cassava flour.
Onu expressed optimism that Nigeria could make substantial savings through reduction in wheat import and yet produce bread of comparable quality.
Also speaking, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Pulidu, said Nigeria and Cuba shared a common history and culture in the area of science, technology and innovation (STI), which could create a real avenue for future cooperation.
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, represented by his deputy, Nasiru Yusuf, noted that countries that do not embrace STI would only rely on others for survival.
Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for STI said Nigeria’s ambition is to look inwards and commence domestic production of essential raw materials and products.
