Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) says the fourth industrial revolution offers Nigeria the opportunity to catch up with the world on acquisition of STI.
The minister said this at the Validation Workshop on the Draft Revised 2022 National Science, Technology and Innovation(STI)Policy in Abuja on Thursday.
“Our aim ought to be, to get involved so that we will continuously narrow the gap between us and the rest of the technologically developed countries of the world,’’ he said.
According to him, emerging technologies like advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, big data, new engineering materials, block chain, machine learning, robotics and artificial intelligence provide this opportunity.
He said this explained why the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy must be continuously updated to accommodate new trends.
“The policy is to prepare our dear nation both for today and the future.
“This is very important because the immediate past Economic Recovery and Growth Plan(ERGP)2017 -2020 recognised the need to leverage STI in building a knowledge based economy,’’ Onu said.
He noted that Science and Technology should be effectively harnessed to drive national competitiveness, productivity and economic activities of all sectors.
He said the current National Development Plan(NDP)2021-2025 recognised that Nigeria’s “National strategy in the medium term to pursue an aggressive technology and innovation strategy to unlock the potential of non-oil sectors competitiveness.’’
Onu stressed that the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy was important as it gives direction to every other sector of the economy and virtually every segment of national life.
He mentioned these sectors to include, human capital development, agriculture, industrial growth, health, environment, energy and space technology.
Others, according to him are: ocean technology, banking and finance, information and communications technologies, women and youth empowerment among others.
The minister pointed out that after 30 years, on Jan. 7, 2016, the National Research and Innovation Council(NRIC) held its first meeting under the Chairmanship of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dr Enang Moma, representing the Regional Office of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said the organsation was strongly behind the ministry in the policy draft.
She said that due process was adequately followed during the draft and that the consultant was familiar with the ministry’s ecosystem.
Accordingly, she said they were going to come up with a very robust STI policy for Nigeria that would drive sustainable development
Moma said Nigeria now has a template that other African nations could follow.
Prof Rosemary Udozo, representing the Nigerian Academy of Education, said the academy asked for a prime position for the implementation of the policy.
“The academy wants to collaborate with the ministry so that the content of the policy would come to fruition,’’ she said.(NAN)