The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has affirmed that industrialization and Technology are the Keystones of every nation and without it no nation can develop meaningfully.
Nnaji made the disclosure during a tour to the Technology Incubation Centre, TIC, in Agege area of Lagos state.
The Minister who affirmed the Federal Government's readiness to assist industrialists and entrepreneurs in attaining their goals commended the National Board For Technology Incubation, NBTI, for churning out scores of industrialists over the years.
“I am seeing some industrialists being covered in this place and from here they move to their own business, they have churned out millionaires” Nnaji asserted.
Under the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu, we as ministers are ready to move and this is why we are moving up. He said more has to be done in every quarter and jobs have to be created.
The minister stressed that the federal government plans to set up a Research and Development Fund that SME owners can put to use.
“Initially we didn’t have a Research and Development Fund but we are at the verge of creating it where people that have excelled in innovation, technology can push their hands and take funds to develop what they have researched,” he stated.
Earlier, Dr. Patricia Chukwu, Director General, National Board For Technology Incubation, (NBTI) who hinted that technology is the cornerstone to unlocking solutions to some of the most challenging situations of the country lauded the support of the Ministry.
“It is beyond doubt that in the rapidly changing scenery of today’s world, progress deliberately depends on technological development. Be it in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, or blockchain, the possibility is boundless. Yet, to realize these opportunities fully, we must embrace a culture that champions partnership, innovation and entrepreneurship,” she added.
The NBTI director, who requested for more assistance from the ministry to fully maximize the potentials embedded in the agencies, noted that the NBTI centers are reorganizing and providing assistance for local talents, providing for the upcoming generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will steer the country’s technological progress.
