Minister Calls For Strong Regulatory Frameworks To Enhance Global Competitiveness

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has called for the deployment of strong regulatory frameworks to build trust and confidence in goods and services for enhanced global competitiveness.

The minister made the call at the second National Competitiveness Consultative Forum for Regulatory Establishments in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said it was important for the forum to find solutions that would help the country improve on regulation, the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and Nigeria’s drive toward improved global competitiveness.

“It is pertinent that you identify important enhancing factors for effective regulation and credible certification and accreditation,"

“You should always bear in mind the need for consideration in the future of third party conformity assessment of our toolbox, systems and processes by internationally recognised conformity assessment establishments,’’ Onu said.

He gave the assurance that at this stage of development such a move would give added credence to the country’s operations, provide a basis for confidence in certifications as well as accreditation outcomes.

“We should never forget that any positive impact in this regard is priceless and would enhance our global ranking as a competitive nation,’’ the Minister said.

Onu told the forum that it was on a difficult but important journey of providing the country the much-desired mechanism and appropriate knowledge-driven economic development policies and programmes, especially in research and development.

He said the programmes would be driven by Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in a manner that research and development breakthroughs would get commercialised for industrial and business applications.

The minister emphasised the need to encourage cooperation and collaboration among research and development institutions and the Organised Private Sector.

“This will help us domestically source and improve on agro and mineral raw materials for the manufacturing industry,’’ he said.

Onu said ensuring cordial relationships among critical stakeholders within the STI ecosystem in the country would help reduce the cost of production as well as guarantee stability in the supply chain.

Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, said in his address that President Muhammadu Buhari was consistent on his vision for Nigeria to be self-reliant.

Abdullahi noted that it was the president’s directive to develop an innovation-driven economy that would compete with other economies of the world through diversification and value addition to the abundant raw materials.

Earlier, British High Commissioner in Nigeria Catriona Laing, speaking through a representative, Mamadou Diallo, said Britain was firmly committed to engaging Nigeria in the development space.