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Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has declared that Nigeria’s future will no longer be driven by mineral resources but by innovation, technology, and intellectual capital.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science, and Technology held in Abuja, Nnaji emphasised that “leadership among nations is no longer determined by mineral wealth, but by intellectual capital, innovation, and the ability to commercialize ideas. Nigeria must follow this path.”
The minister described the gathering not as a routine policy event but as “a movement” for national transformation through innovation.
“The future of Nigeria will be shaped by deliberate choices—choices to embrace science, technology, and innovation as engines of national progress,” he said.
Highlighting the country’s untapped potential, he said, “For too long, valuable research from our universities and institutions has remained underutilized—disconnected from industry and national development. Our young inventors have brilliant ideas but often lack the systems and structures to realize them. This is not a failure of talent—it is a failure of systems.”
He called for a unified effort across sectors to build a viable innovation ecosystem.
“If we are to compete globally, we must dismantle these barriers and build a vibrant ecosystem where academia, industry, government, and finance collaborate seamlessly,” he said.
Addressing the need for practical innovation, he added, “Let us make research purposeful. Let us make development intentional. Let us make innovation exciting. Let us make commercialization impactful.”
Nnaji also revealed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the launch of four satellites to boost national security.
“These will significantly enhance Nigeria’s surveillance capacity. The SAR satellite will provide continuous coverage—day and night, in all weather conditions. This will eliminate our dependence on external satellite data,” he said.
On research governance, he noted that progress is ongoing toward establishing the long-awaited National Research and Innovation Fund.
“This was a promise made by the President—one to be realized immediately after the Infrastructure Fund for the Ministry of Works is concluded,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Asanye, also stressed the urgency of building an inclusive innovation system.
“This summit is not merely about policies or programs—it is a call to action. We must create a dynamic innovation ecosystem where all stakeholders work collaboratively,” she said.
She described the Council’s theme—“Research, Develop, Innovate, and Commercialize: A Cycle for National Prosperity”—as “a roadmap for producing tangible results” and disclosed that over 100 memoranda had been submitted by participants.
These addressed issues such as indigenous research commercialization, research funding, emerging technologies, and institutional collaboration.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary General Services in the AGF office, Dr. Maurice Nnamdi in a goodwill message, said, “Sustainable national development can only be achieved by fostering a resilient innovation ecosystem—where research is purposeful, development is solution-oriented, innovation is continuous, and commercialization translates ideas into tangible impacts.”
Akume called on stakeholders to move from “intention to implementation,” saying, “Each sector has a vital role to play: Academic institutions must generate cutting-edge, demand-driven research. Industry must invest in and scale these innovations. Government must provide the enabling environment.”
He assured that the Office of the SGF will continue to push for increased investment in research and cross-sectoral coordination to realize the country’s innovation goals.
The Council’s resolutions are expected to shape Nigeria’s science and technology policy direction in the coming years.
