The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology in Nigeria, Chief Uche Nnaji, emphasized the Federal Government’s dedication to effectively coordinating the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) ecosystem in the country.
During the opening of the RDI Coordination Summit themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness through a Resilient National RDI Coordination,” Nnaji underscored the need for a robust, inclusive, and forward-thinking coordination of RDI activities.
According to the Minister, the objective is to establish an environment where academia, industry, government, and the community can not only interact but also thrive together, fostering the emergence of groundbreaking innovations.
Nnaji outlined Nigeria’s vision to evolve into a leading hub for African innovation, making substantial contributions to the global knowledge economy. Achieving this goal involves implementing a comprehensive three-pronged approach:
It is vital to develop and reinforce the institutional frameworks essential for effective coordination of RDI activities, which includes enacting policies that encourage research and development, safeguard intellectual property rights, and facilitate the commercialization of research results.
Emphasizing the importance of fostering Public-Private Partnerships, the Minister highlighted the critical role of collaboration among the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions.
By forging partnerships that leverage the unique strengths of each sector, the translation of research findings into market-ready solutions to address pressing challenges can be expedited.
Central to a successful RDI ecosystem are the individuals involved. Investing in education and training to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of navigating and leading in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is essential.
Nurturing young talents and providing them with platforms to excel and innovate are critical components of this effort.
Nnaji emphasized that the journey towards enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness through resilient RDI coordination is a collaborative effort that demands dedication, cooperation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.