The elevation of Chief Uche Nnaji as the new Nigerian minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, didn’t really come as a surprise to the watchers of the Nigerian political scene, writes EJIOFOR AGADA:
To say that it is expected that such an enterprising professional with background in innovations and sciences from his youth, will be an understatement.
Coming on the heels of the last Minister for Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu (before the addendum of Innovations), this unique ministry became important from the onset of this democratic dispensation in 1999. From then till date, 8 different minsters of varying backgrounds have overseen this ministry with varying degrees of success and performance. Without going into specifics, most of the activities of the previous occupants of that seat, could be easily measured from the state of the Agencies within the ministry over the years.
According to official description, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is a Nigerian ministry whose mission is to facilitate the development and deployment of science and technology apparatus to enhance the pace of socio-economic development of the country through appropriate technological inputs into productive activities in the nation.
It is headed by a Minister appointed by the President, assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who is a career civil servant.
It is on record that President Bola Tinubu, on 16 August 2023 appointed Chief Uche Nnaji as the Minister, while Dr. (Mrs) Amina Muhammed Bello Shamaki is the current permanent secretary in the ministry. By so doing, the responsibility of using his skills and understanding to create a viable science and technology sector through innovation and research, squarely rests on the shoulders of the High Chief of Nkanu land in Enugu state.
This is a no mean feat as the Ministry boasts of the third highest with number of parastatal/ agencies (18) after Economy ministry (30) and FCT (21).
For the Uche Nnaji -led ministry to make a lasting impact that’ll be felt even after office and demonstrate his capacity as well as justify the confidence of the President in his choice as minister, each and every agency under his ministry must feel his presence.
To achieve this, Chief Uche Nnaji might want to look at the following:
1. National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)
Officially, TIP is an integrated government support programme to government establishments such as academic institutions, research centres and private sector, either individually or in partnership with the intention of creating and nurturing of budding value-added and technology-based enterprise.
There is need to independent research assessment to thoroughly ascertain the weaknesses of the Agency and proffer solutions.
2. Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)
ECN has statutory mandate for the strategic planning and co-ordination of national policies in the field of Energy in all its ramifications. The new minister must focus on the efforts of ECN regarding the comatose.
The Minister must engage the private sector to ensure actual implementation of the Energy Policy of the country.
3. Nigerian institute of science laboratory technology (NISLT)
NISLT has the mandate to ensure effective and efficient management and administration of laboratories in all the tertiary and Research Institutions in the country. A detailed assessment of this institute, to ascertain its level of effectiveness on its mandate especially across institutions offering the course of study, is mandatory.
4. National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA)
This agency was established to implement the policy that is aimed at conducting research, promotion, coordination and development of biotechnology for Nigeria.
With the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops in Nigeria, the new minister needs to commission an impact assessment of GM crops in the country.
5. National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) – This agency is vested with the mandate of training and developing middle-to-high level manpower and conducting policy research in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) management for all tiers of government and the private sector. It is lacking in ensuring the planning, development, use and diffusion of technology as well as its application to the industry and its impacts on the social, economic, cultural, political and geographical environment of Nigeria.
6. National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT)
This agency was created to provide globally competitive and environmentally friendly technologies in industrial, agro-chemicals, solid minerals, bio-chemicals, man-made fibers, effluent monitoring and control, petrochemicals, engineering plastics and allied chemicals for the technological and economic advancement of Nigeria.
The minister might want to find out why the Agency is lacking in capacity in renewable energy research, catalysis, and treatment of industrial effluent waste.
7. Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO)
Though set up to to carry out research and development activities in the field of technology and the operation of a nuclear research facility, Nigeria is nowhere near the fulfillment of this mandate.
8. Project Development Institute (PRODA)
Provider Digital Access Enugu was set up to facilitate the Nation’s drive towards technological self-reliance, by producing the capital goods and process technologies needed by SMEs to produce local raw materials in producing consumer goods.
A concept that started out on a great note has died over the years. The new minister needs to commission independent asset assessment review for the PRODA facilities.
9. Federal Institute of Food & Industrial Research (FIIRO)
With a mandate of accelerating industrialization in Nigeria FIIRO has over the years developed technologies that have promoted the ideals of entrepreneurship development. However, it has mostly performed below its capacity.
10. National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)
An agency designed to accelerate rapid technological development for the country, NASENI was designed to conduct developmental work in the areas of manufacturing, and as such, it can coordinate the proliferation of technologies developed either within or outside of its Centers including patents obtained.
This is one of the most under-performing Agencies under the Ministry and the new Minister will have to set in motion modalities to checkmate the gross misuse of NASENI levy collected over the years.
11. Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis And Onchocerciasis (NITR) – This agency was created towards the elimination of the two Neglected Tropical Diseases, African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness in man, nagana in domestic animals) and Onchocerciasis (River blindness). But of late it has been rather more concerned with leadership squabbles and counter accusations of corruption rather than research. The minister needs to help install a qualified Veterinary professional outside the already compromised institution, for better results to come out from the institute.
12. National Office for Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP)
An agency with a mandate to implement the acquisition, promotion, and development of technology and at the same time correct certain imperfections in the acquisition of foreign technology into the country. NOTAP however has not been able to live up to expectations.
The Minister must look into the challenges companies face in obtaining approval from NOTAP over technology transfer agreements with foreign companies especially as it affects remittances and tax bedeviling the Agency.
13. Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA)
An agency created for the research, development, documentation and promotion of Nigeria’s Indigenous Medicine for sustainable integration into the national healthcare delivery system. Since it launched its research on MALARIA ELIMINATION PROJECT and -ANTI-DIABETIC PROJECT, the agency is yet to conclude and present its findings.
14. National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA)
This Agency was created to focus on research and rigorous education, engineering development, design and manufacture, particularly in the areas of instrumentation, rocketry and small satellites as well as in satellite data acquisition, processing, analysis and management of related software.
The minister might want to know that there is need to commission asset assessment review of the Agency urgently.
15. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)
This agency is a research institution that is responsible for industrial raw materials growth, promotion and utilization. The minister needs to find out why RMRDC finds it hard to tackle rejection of Nigeria’s agro and mineral resources in the international markets.
16. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBBRI)
This is an institute responsible for researching and developing road and building materials for the Nigerian building industry.
The RMRDC has so far not come up with any unique innovation in either building or road construction in Nigeria. A commission of inquiry is what the new Minister ought to constitute for this agency.
17. National Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST)
One of the oldest Agencies in Nigeria, set up to provide courses of instructions, Training and Research in the field of Leather and Leather Product Technology and conduct research and Development on Leather Technologies and Goods Production. NILEST has been unable to push forward the National Leather, Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan till date.
In conclusion, the new Minister has a date with fate as he tackles all the challenges before him especially in his mandate to reposition the Nation’s foray in science and technology. This he can only achieve by first clearing the Augean stable of the Agencies under his ministry and ensure optimum performance. We wait to celebrate his expected success stories.
Ejiofor Agada, a social/political and technology industry commentator, writes from Abuja. He can be reached via ejiofor.agada@gmail.com
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