Buhari pledges to invest more in science and technology

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of his administration to invest in Science, Technology and Innovation to enable Nigeria become more competitive at the continental and global levels.

The President, who stated this yesterday at an inaugural meeting with the National Research and Innovation Council, NRIC, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the objectives of securing Nigeria, growing the economy, creating jobs and fighting crime can best be achieved through science and technology.

He stressed that Nigeria must accord high priority to science and technology if it must take its rightful place among the leading economies in the modern world.
According to him, “Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020 is only attainable when science, technology and innovation are fully integrated into our national socio-economic development process. That process will now be fast tracked with the coming on board of this Council.

“I wish to assure this Council of my determination and commitment to ensure that as a nation, we will invest appropriately in science, technology and innovation in order to guarantee our competitiveness both continentally and globally. Our goal to secure our nation, grow our economy, create jobs and fight crime can best be achieved if we embrace science and technology.

“The NRIC is geared towards coordinating and streamlining the nation’s research and development activities as well as fostering innovation. It is designed to accelerate the growth of innovation-based entrepreneurship in the country and to create conditions for the commercialisation of current and further research findings in our universities and research institutes.

“Your Council is also expected to reposition STI as a national priority to guarantee sustainability, high standard of living and quality of life for Nigerians as well as fast-track industrial and economic development. In this regard, the Council will meet quarterly to consider and take vital decisions on STI related issues.”