FG Plans National Science and Technology Development Fund

The federal government of Nigeria last week said it will soon establish a National Science and Technology fund as part of efforts geared towards effective coordination and funding of all research and development activities.
 
A committee headed by secretary to the government of the federation was set up to drive the process and ensure that adequate funding is sourced outside the budget and grant from international organizations to support researchers and scientists across the country.
 
Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, minister of Science and Technology who disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the National Council on Science and Technology event held recently in Enugu, said that government has realized that science, technology and innovation are the primary driving force of development; hence the effort in facilitating the development and deployment of science technology apparatus to enhance the pace of socio economic development of the country.
 
According to him, “government is giving consideration for the establishment of a National Science and Technology Development Fund. This is to support its efforts towards effective coordination and funding of all research and development activities.”
 
The minister further revealed that a presidential advisory committee on science and technology has been established to render advice on policy issues concerning science and technology. The policy, he said, is presently undergoing a review with a view to strengthening it. “Sectoral policies have been developed and are being vigorously pursued in space programme, ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology.”
 
Dr. Zaku who was not excited about the level of research and development activities in the country charged the nation’s scientists who will benefit from the special fund to target commercializable research outputs.
 
He canvassed for practical strategies that will assist to refocus the research and development activities in the science and technology system in the country and facilitate for the speedy commercialization of the outputs into industries, in line with the present administration’s focus to reduce import and enhance local production.
 
This he noted will translate the country from a consumer to an industrialized producer, and the economy from an import oriented one to a self-reliant one.