The federal government has established a National Science and Technology Park and Science Museum to boost Research and Development (R&D) in basic and applied sciences to develop results of research for economic and social development in Nigeria.
This was even as the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of the science and technology park with Across Atlantic Development United Kingdom, through the private-public partnership.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Olorunibe Mamora in his speech while laying the foundation for the National Science Park and Museum at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Kwali Abuja on Tuesday, said that the facility will provide the linkage among the stakeholders , which absence had adversely affected the development of indigenous technology transfer.
He said the country must increase investment in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in order to reduce undue reliance on foreign technical assistance. He added that there is a need to continue to improve the business, industry and service-driven R&D capacity and capability of the country.
“The trajectory in business and R&D are the main drivers of innovation including sound Policies which thereafter form good technological progress towards accelerating the goals of sustainability and shared prosperity,” he said.
The minister called for alliances and strategic partnerships with all critical stakeholders, including development partners, the private sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), faith-based and professional bodies, youth and women groups to strengthen the viability of the parks.
“The financing needed to implement the science park project is no doubt massive, we must mobilise all sources of finance, i.e. domestic and international, public and private, harness the potential of innovative financing schemes and most importantly align financing flows and policies with sustainable development priorities,” he said.
Speaking earlier while signing the MoU with Across Atlantic Development United Kingdom, Mamora, called for urgent implementation of the project for the sake of the country’s development in STI.
“I must commend the initiative and the effort of Across Atlantic Development UK for this project in seeing that Nigeria has become a hub of Africa in areas of Science Technology and Innovation to compete with developed countries in the world,” he said.
The chief executive officer (CEO) and the Founder of Across Atlantic Development UK, David Apollus in his remarks said the project will facilitate the transformation of Nigeria into an invention and innovation hub of Africa. He added that the project will boost the manufacturing of equipment and machines for domestic purposes and export which will compete with developed nations of the world.
Apollus further assured the Nigerian government of their commitment to ensuring that the project achieves the desired goals, stressing that Nigeria will become a centre of Science and innovation.
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