FG To Raise Global Competitiveness Index, Build Six Technology Hubs

The Federal Government is concentrating on enhancing Nigeria's competitive index in the international market, according to Henry Ikoh, Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).

The minister added that six technology centres had been established by the ministry around the nation.

The North Central Dialogue on the Establishment and Implementation of Technology and Innovation Centers for Global Competitiveness and Productivity was opened on Wednesday in Abuja by Ikoh.

“Continuous improvement in global competitiveness index for Nigeria in the global market is an important task we must continue to pursue to enable our country to command an equitable share of export in the global market.’’

Represented by Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ikoh said the technology and innovation centres established under Executive Order No 5 were designed to serve as centres of excellence.

He disclosed that one of the centres' main goals was to advance knowledge of the part that STIs play in Nigeria's socioeconomic growth.

He clarified that the centres also aimed to build a framework for consulting, sharing experience, knowledge, and techniques, as well as to create an environment that encouraged contact amongst the scientists.

“The centres will also serve as a medium for presentation and analysis of research findings and results for possible patenting and commercialization."

The minister expressed concern, nevertheless, that the nation's development programme had not properly embraced the role of STI throughout time.

According to him, there should be a major concern over the country's declining revenue base and rising foreign exchange rate, and there is a need to examine how actively STI can buck this trend.

Ikoh disclosed that as a state strategy for economic recovery and progress, President Muhammadu Buhari's administration would continue to encourage science, technology, and innovation.

He said more needs to be done on Nigerian STI in order to reach the intended outcome.

Ikoh expressed hope that after the discussion of the six zones, stakeholders would develop a plan to make sure that the centres will, among other things, produce tech giants and encourage the learning of new techniques.

The discussion focused on enhancing Nigeria's competitiveness in generating foreign cash via STI, according to Dr Enang Moma, a representative of UNESCO's regional office in Nigeria.

According to Moma, UNESCO was eager to help Nigeria, via the ministry, make STI more engaging and useful.

She added that UNESCO had worked with the STI ministry in various ways, such as by assisting it in reviving its STI policy, which is focused on competitiveness.

The National Coordinator of the Strategy Task Office for Presidential Executive Order 5, Ibiam Oguejiofo, claimed that STI was the only way for Nigeria to transition from a country of consumption to one of production.