Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has said it will focus more on need-based and demand-driven researches in the country.
It said the programmes will drive science, technology and innovation in a manner that research breakthroughs would seamlessly get commercialised.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Mr Ogbonnaya Onu, stated that the government will protect researchers and innovators with the appropriate legal framework through the issuance of intellectual property rights.
At the second National Competitive Consultative Forum for regulatory establishments, Mr Onu said, “Our programmes, especially for Research and Development (R&D) would focus mainly on need-based, demand-driven activities.
“Such programmes would be driven by Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in a manner that Research Development breakthroughs and findings would seamlessly get commercialised for industrial and business application and utilisation in production and services delivery.
“We will protect our researchers, inventors and innovators with an appropriate legal framework such as issuance of patents and other intellectual property rights.
“My desire is to create an enabling environment conducive to Nigerian academic/Research and Development (R&D) institutions as well as scientists to be adequately rewarded from the successful commercialisation of research and innovation efforts. This will help attract people to research and innovation.
“We are working to remove all obstacles, close all gaps so as to encourage co-operation and collaboration among R&D institutions and OPS. This will help us domestically source and improve on agro and mineral raw materials for the manufacturing industry.
“Our aim is to ensure that there is a cordial relationship among critical stakeholders within the STI ecosystem in the country. This will help reduce the cost of production and also guarantee stability in the supply chain.”
