Federal Government on Friday in Abuja said it would deepen efforts toward commercialising research results for industrialisation of the nation.
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology made this known at a news conference on the forthcoming Technology and Innovation Expo 2018.
Onu said such effort was needed to promote Nigeria from the comity of developing nations to the group of developed countries in a short while.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the expo would play a major role toward national sustainability.
“The event will encourage interactions between researchers and investors with a view to commercialising research results, inventions and innovations from Nigeria’s research and tertiary institutions.
“The Expo 2018 will facilitate growth of indigenous manufacturing hinged on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as generally promoting STI culture in Nigeria.
“It will also fast track the implementation of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Road Map of 2017 to 2030 to bring to fore the capabilities of Nigerian scientists, engineers, and inventors/innovators in contributing to economic diversification of Nigeria,’’ he said.
The minister said the 2018 edition of the Technology and Innovation Expo would feature exhibitions of research and development results, inventions, innovations, STI Products/Services.
Others are researchers/investors forum, technical sessions on emerging issues, Special Days for states, conglomerates, awards of prizes, certificates to outstanding exhibitors and researchers.
According to him, the theme of the Expo 2018 will be “Fast tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology“.
The expo will hold from March 5 to March 9.
Onu said the success achieved at the last edition of the expo from April 3 to April 7, 2017 had further spurred the interest of the investors to commercialise research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.
He said this year’s expo would build upon the objectives of the previous one.
The minister said that the objectives of this year’s edition would include follow-up on memorandum of understandings signed as a result of the last expo and promoting collaborations among research institutions and researchers/inventors. (NAN)