- Emphasized the critical role that science plays in shaping the future of the nation
- Assured that his administration will give direct support to research and development in Nigeria
In a bid to foster science and development in the country, President Bola Tinubu has directed the establishment of the National Research Fund.
Speaking at his investiture as Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Science, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, he expressed the belief that without transformative research, no nation can develop to achieve its goals.
President Tinubu, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasized the critical role that science plays in shaping the future of the nation.
He assured that his administration will give direct support to research and development in Nigeria, through government policies, programmes and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The president stated: “Paying attention to research, science and development is a commitment that I will continue to support directly and through various government policies and programs, through our ministries of science and technology, health, education and related ministries will be mobilised.
“And on the role of the National Academy of Science, and funding for research, science and development, I am fully committed.”
Tinubu expressed appreciation to the Academy of Science for making him its grand patron, saying: “I have, with a sense of gratitude, accepted your gesture of investiture as Grand Patron of Science.”
In her remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Ekanem Braide, said there is a need for healthy collaboration between the centres, the government, industries and the community if problems are to be addressed.
She said: “For national problems to be conclusively addressed there is a need for healthy collaboration between the centres, government, industries and community in a quadruple helix arrangement, this way there will be effective research translation, that is the movt of research output from the laboratories, workshops to inform policies and practice.”
Braide commended the Tinubu administration for recognising the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge-based economy.
She disclosed that the academy is currently working with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning on the review of documents that would aid urgent interventions for national development.
“We commend the administration of President Tinubu for truly recognizing the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge-based economy, we are reviewing the national planning document through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and we are advising necessary interventions required urgently for national development
“We have been informed that the president has directed that steps be taken to set up a national research fund“ she added.
The President of the Academy of Science called for collaboration among centres to deploy science, technology and innovation to tackle major socio-economic problems facing Nigeria.
“There is a need for healthy collaboration between centres, Nigeria like many African countries is plagued by a numb of major problems that negatively impact on socio-economic development of the country most of these problems can be addressed through the application of science technology and innovation.
“It is our belief that the 263, universities 84 polytechnics, and 205 Colleges of Education there will be upscale of community services in their host communities there will be a positive impact and sustainable economic recovery and development in Nigeria will be achieved faster,” she stated.