Nigeria to Transform to Knowledge Based Economy Soon - Onu

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of Science and Technology, said Nigerians would soon have reasons to celebrate, following ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria from a resource based to a knowledge economy.

This is contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by Mr Taye Akinyemi, chief press secretary to the minister.

It stated that Onu said this while delivering a speech at the 15th Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH) General Assembly Meeting held in Islamabad, Pakistan from May 31 to June1.

Onu stated that the ministry was making efforts to help achieve food security to enable the country to feed its citizens. He said the transformation would enable Nigeria to play a more important role in global matters now and in future. The minister said the effort was to help diversify Nigeria’s economy to create new jobs, as well as create wealth to further increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Also, to provide energy security and uninterrupted power supply, which will engender rapid industrialisation and the use of locally made goods and services,’’ he said According to him, efforts are on to close all technology gaps that will help the economy to grow in a sustainable manner capable of absorbing shocks that might arise in future with any collapse of commodity prices. The minister noted that in the past one year, the ministry had intensified efforts in the commercialisation of research findings by encouraging the protection of intellectual property through patents.

He said the ministry had also strengthened the linkage between industries, universities and research institutes.

Onu said research and innovation works were ongoing in many areas including biotechnology, chemical technology, information technology, nanotechnology, renewable and efficient use of energy. Others he said are protection and preservation of the environment, herbal and alternative medicine, and local raw materials utilisation, nuclear research for peaceful purposes and space science and technology.

Earlier, Mr. Iyad Madani, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), highlighted the challenges in the Islamic world in the areas of health and poverty among others.

Madani maintained that science and technology was the solution to all the challenges facing member states. He commended Nigeria on the eradication of polio and for the pronouncement by the United Nations (UN) declaring Nigeria as polio free. Madani said there must be political will to make a great impact in science and technology.