FG urges private sector support for research, innovations in varsities

The Federal Government has urged the private sector to support research and innovations in universities and other institutions to solve the nation’s challenges.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, said this at the inauguration of an upgraded chemical laboratory at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi.

The laboratory was equipped by PZ Cusson, Africa, in collaboration with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

Onu noted that the government was in the forefront of upgrading to international standard laboratories in universities and research institutes among others.

“Attaining world class laboratories will help Nigeria have world class researches and one day, produce a Nobel laureate in Physics, Medicine and Chemistry.

“This is very important and each time the laboratories are upgraded, I personally commission it no matter how tight the schedule is.

“Such laboratories should be encouraged because if we can produce high quality manpower, it will help industries increase productivity and make more money.

“It will be cheaper to hire labour from Nigeria instead of abroad as this will increase their profit level.”

The minister said that teaching and researches in the nation’s universities should be geared towards solving national problems.

“The ministry’s interest is to promote researches driven by industry needs and this will ensure that commercialising research findings would not be a problem.

“We cannot continue to depend on other nations to solve our problems because we have some of the most intelligent people in the world whose potential are not maximally utilised.”

He directed the immediate establishment of an Intellectual Property and Technological Transfer Office in the university, to sustain its efforts at promoting research and innovations.

He commended PZ Cusson for upgrading the laboratory and its support for science development, particularly in rural areas.

Alhaji Dan-Azumi Ibrahim, NOTAP Director-General, said that the agency believed that developing human capacities, facilities and policies would ensure that Nigeria overcame its challenges.

Mr Christos Giannopoulos, Chief Executive of PZ Cusson, Africa, noted that the establishment would continue to upgrade universities in the country as part of its social responsibility.

Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Vice Chancellor of the university, commended the ministry for its efforts towards enhancing Nigeria’s economic development through science, technology and innovation.

“We also appreciate NOTAP and PZ Cusson for the partnership that birthed the event we are presently witnessing.

“Our university is young but nevertheless, global-minded and that is why we take research seriously,” he said.