President Bola Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to fostering science and development in the country.
This is just as he directed the establishment of the National Research Fund, which will serve as a mainstay for development in Nigeria.
Tinubu spoke, yesterday, during his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Science, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
The President, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasised the critical role science plays in shaping the future of the nation, adding that no nation would achieve its desired development without transformative research.
“I believe that without great research and development, no nation can develop to achieve a desire,” he said.
He said his administration would give support to research and development in Nigeria, through government policies, programmes and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“Paying attention to research, science and development is a commitment that I would continue to support directly and through various government policies and programmes, through our ministries of science and technology, health, education and related ministries.’’
“And on the role of the National Academy of Science, and funding for research, science and development, I am fully committed,” the President added.
In her remarks, the President of the academy, Prof. Ekanem Braide, said for national problems to be addressed in Nigeria, there was a need for healthy collaboration between the centres, the government, industries, and the community.
Braide said there would be effective research translation via this means, thereby transmitting research output from laboratories and workshops to inform policies and practices.
Braide commended President Tinubu for recognising the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge-based economy, disclosing that the academy was working with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning on the review of documents that would aid urgent interventions for national development.
