[SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (1)

Isa Umar, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the development and deployment of Science, Technology, and Innovation to enhance the pace of socio-economic development of the country and serves as the apex body responsible for the formulation and implementation of government policies and programs relating to Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Ministry prides itself as having made giant strides in the fulfillment of its mandate; and among others charted the course of technological development including Research and Development (R&D), Policy formulation, Supervision, and Promotion of all matters of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in the country.

Pacesetter reports that the Ministry has seventeen agencies, thirteen of which are charged directly with the mandate to conduct Research and Development, R&D. The other four have mandates for policy research and capacity building in management of technology, intellectual property rights, and technology business incubation.

They are Nigerian Council of Food, Science & Technology (NiCFoST); Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI); National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI); National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM); National Institute for Leather Science & Technology (NILEST); National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO); National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP); Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN); National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT); National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA); Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT); Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC); Project Development Institute (PRODA); Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA); Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) and Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR).

When Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji assumed office as the Minister in August 2023, he declared his intention to prioritize the commercialization of R&D results in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Since assuming office, we have made bold steps in pursuing the transforming of our economy from the mono-economy (dependence on oil) to a knowledge based economy that is self-sufficient, compensates the hardworking, protects the poor and vulnerable, and can compete globally across a range of strategic sectors. We have equally had positive engagements with some foreign investors with a view to attracting Foreign Direct Investments, FDI”, Nnaji said.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Poised by the decision to implement the Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which is a local content policy designed to drive innovation, promote science and technology and, ultimately, catalyse economic diversificationto create jobs and reduce poverty and in line with the Presidential Priorities of the current administration, the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Ministry has made great achievements in the following sectors:

Space Technology

-In February 2024, the Honourable Minister obtained relevant approvals and signed relevant agreements for procuring and installing four fully Nigeria-owned satellites [with base stations in Nigeria]. Three of these satellites are optical, while one is a Synthetic Aperture Radar [SAR] Satellite. These satellite procurement and installation projects will effectively support security management, intelligence gathering, security surveillance, pipeline monitoring, mineral exploration, precision agriculture early warning, and environmental disaster management.

-Furthermore, the Honourable Minister has finalized arrangements with Adani Defense and Aerospace, India, and AVIC-KDN (Chengdu Honpho Technology Co., Ltd.) for technology transfer and domestic manufacturing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones.

-The Ministry, through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has signed an MoU and concluded a cooperation agreement with ELEOS-GETS Israel, for the development and sales of RADAR equipment and with GETS for joint development of coastal RADAR surveillance system augmentation using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Power and Energy

-Through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Ministry developed energy management devices that are ready for commercialization to support the government’s efforts at import substitution. Notable among these include single- and 3-phase electricity meters, 5kW Cross-flow Turbine Systems, and 1kW Solar PV generators for home and retail shop/kiosk applications.

-The Ministry negotiated and entered into an operational agreement on the strength of an MoU with Chem Energy SA to develop and deploy a Hydrogen Fuel-Stem Cell. The first set of sample equipment has been delivered for study.

-The Honourable Minister provided the first and most inclusive platform for developing policy and economic framework for commercial exploitation of Green Hydrogen.  Serving as co-convener of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) commissioned study “A Critical Analysis of the Potentials, Infrastructure, and Other Enabling Framework Conditions for Green Hydrogen to Fertilizer Production in Nigeria” (NIGERIA4H2), he assembled representatives of Government, Industry, Academia, NGOs and International Development partners to chart a pathway for Nigeria Green Hydrogen Plan.  His involvement led to the interest of the German government which sent a delegation led by the German Commissioner for Green Hydrogen, Till Mansmann (Member of Parliament, Germany to Nigeria) to discuss high-level pilot projects with the Nigerian government.

-The Honourable Minister signed an MoU with Hecate Energy (a subsidiary of Repsol Global) to supply 200 MW of solar power to Abuja Tech City. Hecate Energy is a prominent developer, owner, and operator of renewable power projects and storage solutions in the United States.

-NABDA improved on the patented bio-digesters for generating electricity from biomass waste. These are essential for integrated energy systems, especially in rural electrification projects.

-The Ministry, through its agencies executed renewable energy projects across the country to improve energy access in the unserved and underserved communities, leading to emissions reduction and an increase in productive uses by the MSME and informal sector.

Agriculture and Biotechnology 

-The Ministry, through FIIRO, began promoting cassava and potato processing facilities in different zones across the federation. In the period under review, FIIRO constructed, commissioned and handed over Modern Integrated Cassava Processing Plants to Igbaraoke Community in Ondo State and Uke Community in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. This development indicates the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the utilization of R&D products for improved quality of life for the citizenry.

-In March 2024, the Ministry got approval from the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) for the release of TELA Maize to the public. The TELA maize variety is insect and bacteria-resistant, with over 300% productivity yield when compared with the traditional variety. This project was launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

-The Ministry has approved the release of the bt-cowpea. The btcowpea or the pod-borer resistant cowpea (PBR) is resistant to the insect pest, Maruca vitrata, which accounts for up to 80 per cent yield losses. It is estimated that 20 per cent of the cowpeas consumed in Nigeria is imported. With PBR cowpea, Nigeria is set to save billions in earnings.

-Other interventions include Development of Green Energy Resources from Castor and Jatropha Plants in Nigeria; Production of Anti Hygroscopic Adhesives from Modified Natural Rubber Latex (NRL), Plant Extract and Agricultural waste for Application to Leather Products and Footwear Industries; Development of nano-emulsion from medicinal plants, used as repellent against black fly (Simulium damnosum) as a measure of control against onchocerciasis; Development of Tomato/ Chill Processing Plant, Rice thresher and Destoning machine, spray pyrolysis machine, and automated hand washing machine; Development of rapid test kits for Aflatoxins-B in agricultural produce; Expansion of Bio-fertilizer value-chain at laboratory scale (Slow release Nitrogen Urea Fertilizer) and Development of technologies for the production of High-Quality Neem Based Minero Organic fertilizer to reduce insect attack on crops. It has been tested and is currently used by farmers in the Northern region of the country.

…to be continued

Sourced by PACESETTER from the Office of S.A, Media & Publicity to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Published Sectoral Updates on the Achievements of the FMIST 2023-2024; Official X and Facebook handles of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.