FG advocates strategic alliance on science, technology, innovation

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has stressed the need to forge a strategic alliance with critical stakeholders in the development of science, technology and innovation (STI).

The minister, who stated this during a visit to Bayero University Kano (BUK), said the alliance, would birth an effective coordination so that tertiary academic research institutes could engage the organised private sector in the development of abundant agricultural, mineral and human resources.

He said the ministry would work closely with both the state government and the people in harnessing innovations and other abundant resources of the states for the benefit of all.

Onu said frantic efforts are being made to ensure that the organised private sector and research and development/academic institutions forge strategic alliances that focus more on industry and helps demand-driven programmes, projects and activities.

“The benefits of the strategic alliance will ensure that scientific research findings in our laboratories can easily be converted into products and services needed in our markets and shops. Intellectual property can then be protected through patents, with tremendous financial reward for the scientists and institutions involved,” he said.

On the recent change of name of the ministry to Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) from the previous Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), he said FMSTI is now the custodian of innovation development in Nigeria.