[5:12 PM, 5/30/2021] Mr . Chuks: The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has disclosed plans that the Federal Government is making conscious efforts that will drive Nigeria to be at the forefront of new and emerging technologies.
Dr. Onu made the remarks at the 2nd interactive forum with State Commissioners of Science and Technology in Abuja.
He said consultations on Nanotechnology have been concluded with relevant stakeholders within the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
” We find nanotechnology to have applications in virtually all other technologies, including space, artificial intelligence and robotics as it concerns improved productivity and reduction in size and cost.”
A signed statement on behalf of the Deputy Director/ Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry indicates the federal government efforts to improve funding of Science, Technology and Innovation.
According to the Minister, “Mr. President announced that 0.5% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will now be used to fund STI in the country, though the African Union (AU), recommended 1% of GDP to be utilized for Science and Technology in all countries of the continent, the 0.5% is an improvement over what we had in the past.
He said that efforts are on ground, to ensure that Nigeria is prepared for a post crude oil era. He added that Nigeria has 187 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and has the highest natural gas reserves in the world and 9th highest in the world.
Dr.Onu further stated that the Ministry of Science and Technology is introducing Methanol to the nation’s economy, as it can be used to produce as many as 1000 different products that can be used in our homes, schools, offices, hospitals, farms and factories.
He said; “The production of methanol will help us to stop gas flaring in the country. Since natural gas is the major feedstock for its production, this will increase the demand for natural gas and hence initially reduce and finally help stop gas flaring in the country”.
The Minister added that Methanol fuel technology will be fully domesticated in the country. Saying further that Nigerian professionals can fully grasp the technology and be in a position to export the technology to other countries in the near future.
Meanwhile,the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi has called for close collaboration among the Federal, States and the Ministry’s agencies to enhance the effective domestication of the National STI roadmap 2017-2030.
He urged state governments to create the needed governance structure that will facilitate the deployment of STI in fast tracking economic development in the states.
Barr. Abdullahi advocated that the forum should initiate a mechanism for joint R &D programmes between the Ministry and states that have comparative advantage in certain fields of research.
[5:28 PM, 5/30/2021] Mr . Chuks: UBEC Director Bags NSE Award.
