Nigeria To Domesticate, Refine Technologies, Says Minister

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said in Abuja on Monday that Nigeria would domesticate and specialise in some sophisticated technology like the construction of drones.

He said this while inaugurating an inter-ministerial committee for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and WiseGuard Technology Nig. Ltd.

The minister said the feat would be achieved through the adoption of reverse engineering.

Reverse engineering is the reproduction of another manufacturer’s product following a detailed examination of its construction or composition.

He said the purpose of the MoU was primarily for research and development in the area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) – drones.

Onu noted that the MoU was signed to enable the ministry to incorporate an inter-ministerial committee that would pioneer its implementation through research and development.

The minister also said for Nigeria to be self-reliant, it must take its destiny into its own hands.

According to him, Nigerians should look inward and develop home products.

He assured the committee that the ministry would continue to research until the country domesticated its own technology and innovations.

This, he said, would help to improve the country’s home-grown products in agriculture, security and oil and gas sectors among others.

He charged the committee to complete the work within two weeks and charged members of the committee to offer their utmost best.

Earlier, Yahaya Isah, Legal Adviser at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), representing the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Halilu Shaba, said the agency was thinking ahead of time.

He said this was with regards to the establishment of a UAV department.

Isah expressed optimism that the committee would do its best to deliver on the set objectives.