The Federal Government has said that it would be saving about N43 trillion in five years, from the importation of raw materials.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos at the interactive session on the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (2017-2030) with staff of the agencies of the Ministry in the South West geopolitical zone held at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO).
According to a statement by the Ministry’s Deputy Director Press, AbdulGaniyu Aminu, Onu revealed that the ministry is embarking on a silent revolution.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has put in place a mechanism that would save Nigeria about N43 trillion in five years from the importation of raw materials
“The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed that the Ministry is embarking on silent revolution that will put Nigeria in a position to create jobs and fight poverty, adding that the big countries in the world do not have natural resources but her endowed with knowledge-economy.
“The revolution, he added, would also ensure that Nigeria utilised her resources and intellectual capacity to add value to our Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
“He said that the Ministry had already identified those raw materials and products that Nigeria can produce and also provide guidelines involving programmes and designs to ensure that Nigerians processionals are given preference in execution of contracts in Nigeria.
“According to Dr.Onu, in the next 20 years we want Nigeria firms to compete with Americans firms for jobs, adding that the interest of Nigeria must first be considered above that of any expatriate.
“The Minister appealed to members of Academic Union of Research Institutes (ASURI) to reconsider their on-going strike action while urging them to educate their members about the Road Map.
“We are committed to making sure that the welfare of our workers is given top priority in the Ministry” he added
“We are working to form a policy framework that will move our country from resource-based to Knowledge-based innovation driven economy where professionals can help to create jobs” the Minister added.
“Dr.Onu further said that more two hundred organised private and manufacturing sectors were fully involved in the preparation and final drafting of the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw materials which made it all-inclusive.
“Earlier, in his opening remark, the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, in the Ministry, Ekanem Udo said that the Roadmap will stimulate Research activities and ensure the commercialization of research results for economic development.
“According to him, it is also intended to provide a long-term science and Technology Framework as well as facilitate the creation of knowledge while creating the platform to change the mindset of Nigerians to Science and Technology.
“In her remarks, the Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Professor Gloria Elemo said that the institute is 75% ready to face the assignment as contained in the Roadmap.”