- Minister Uche Nnaji revealed President Tinubu’s efforts to combat hunger and poverty using science and technology in Nigeria
- Nnaji emphasized the administration’s commitment to leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for socio-economic development, particularly in job creation
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spearheads efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty in Nigeria by leveraging science and technology.
Nnaji disclosed this during his keynote address at Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the consultative General Assembly of the West African Network of National Academies of Sciences (WANNAS) in Abuja.
He emphasized Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to utilizing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to address socio-economic challenges, particularly in job creation and wealth generation.
Highlighting the pivotal role of innovation in national development, Nnaji stressed the need for Nigeria to diversify its economy through STI application, citing historical precedents of nations’ prosperity driven by technological advancements.
Nnaji underscored the importance of synergy and collaboration among West African countries in harnessing STI to strengthen their economies and mitigate exchange rate vulnerabilities.
He emphasized the crucial role of academia, particularly National Academies of Sciences, in promoting innovation and industrialization across the region.
Echoing Nnaji’s sentiments, Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, highlighted WANNAS’s significance in addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.
Sarr emphasized the importance of scientific development in enhancing living standards and socio-economic growth.
The meeting is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, culminating in the issuance of a communique outlining key outcomes and recommendations.