On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, called on Nigerians to prioritize locally made products to strengthen the nation’s economy. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a training program for youth and women in Abuja, Nnaji emphasized that locally-produced goods not only meet high standards but also play a crucial role in boosting the country’s economic resilience.
The training initiative, aimed at empowering Nigerian youth and women, focuses on practical skills such as producing cassava and potato bread, mushroom cultivation, cosmetics, date syrup manufacturing, and converting diesel generators to compressed natural gas (CNG).
“The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology is committed to advancing Nigeria’s industrial and technological base in alignment with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda,” Nnaji said. “This agenda includes fighting poverty, driving economic growth, and creating jobs. Through strategic initiatives, we are leveraging science, technology, and innovation (STI) to achieve these goals.”
Nnaji stressed the importance of turning research and development into market-ready products, noting that such programs help bridge the gap between research and business, which in turn generates foreign exchange and creates job opportunities.
“Programs like this training are designed to commercialize research and development products, strengthening the naira and diversifying Nigeria’s economy,” he explained. “By equipping youth and women with these skills, we are helping them create businesses, become self-sufficient, and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.”
The Minister also highlighted the role of FIIRO (Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi) in providing technologies that support local businesses and empower entrepreneurs. He said the Ministry is actively fostering partnerships with regional agencies and signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to leverage Nigeria’s abundant raw materials and human resources.
“By working closely with regional agencies, we are driving innovation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones,” Nnaji stated. “Our Technology and Innovation Centers serve as hubs where stakeholders in the STI ecosystem can collaborate, enhance research, and foster innovation.”
To the trainees, Nnaji urged a dedicated approach to the program, encouraging them to form innovation clusters that would help Nigeria transition from a consumption-based to a production-driven economy.
He also called on all stakeholders, including businesses and consumers, to support these young Nigerians by purchasing their locally-made products. This, he said, would ensure the sustainability and market success of these enterprises.
“Supporting locally-made products is key to achieving our national goals, driving economic growth, and creating a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria,” he concluded.
