Nigeria saved N1tr through importation of raw materials in two years, says Onu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed that over N1 trillion was saved through the reduction in the importation of raw materials in the last two years.

He said the figures were released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2017 and 2018, adding that over 900,000 jobs have been created through the implementation of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policies of the Federal Government.

Onu disclosed this at the ongoing fourth edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation EXPO 2020 at Eagle Square in Abuja.

He said the ministry is supporting young Nigerians to embrace STI, adding: “We have started the process of identifying bright young Nigerians at secondary school levels tagged 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (774 YONSPA).

“It is a grassroots mobilisation programme of young Nigerians in all 774 local councils of our country.”

The minister, who said that the ministry had been achieving success in diversifying the economy from resource and commodity-based to one that is knowledge and innovation-driven, urged Nigerians to be committed and work hard to ensure that this feat is attained.

On the current spread of Covid-19 in many parts of the world, Onu said Nigerians should intensify efforts to manufacture locally-made goods and patronise made-in-Nigeria products, reiterating that the presidential Executive Order 5 and the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development in the country passed by the Federal Executive Council would help in realising this noble objective.

He noted that the EXPO would also offer the nation’s best chance at attaining economic self-reliance, as innovators, investors and inventors are being brought together.