The Association of Nigerian Inventors (ANI) on Thursday rated the current Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in the country 40 per cent in performance level.
The President of ANI, Prof. Sadiq Mohammed, gave the rating in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sidelines of the just concluded 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja.
Mohammed, also an Associate Professor of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, said that Nigeria had lots of untapped potential.
He noted that the country’s untapped potential and unavailability of funds had left the development of the STI ecosystem performing at a minimal level.
”Rating the STI sector in Nigeria in terms of percentage, I will still give it 40 per cent, which means that we have lots of potential.
”The problem is that the potential is untapped and with STI in the 21st century, this NCIST has shown that we need to do more,’’ he said.
He revealed that ANI had three memos at the NCIST, which include the need for Federal Ministry of STI to formally recognise them as a key stakeholder.
He said other memos were for the establishment of a National Research and Innovation Fund, to support inventors from ideation to commercialisation, and the creation of science and innovation parks to serve as incubators for homegrown technologies.
”Association of Nigerian Inventors should be put into the equation when it comes to invention and innovation in Nigeria because we are closer to the grassroots.
”In the 774 local governments in Nigeria, we have talented Nigerians from all the nooks and crannies of the country. We can assess them because we are closer to the grass roots.
”We may have the technical skills, but we don’t have the financial muscles, and the National Research and Innovation Fund will help Nigerian inventors and innovators access grants.
”The grant is to enable them pursue their innovations, from research ideas to patenting and to commercialisation,’’ he said.
Mohammed also said that ANI through participation in workshops and expositions, had demonstrated innovations in environmental sustainability, robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
He said this had contributed to supporting the government in achieving some of its mandates in the STI sector.
He called for stronger legislative protection for Nigerian innovations, warning that foreign entities could exploit local inventions due to weak enforcement frameworks.
”The Nigerian government must legislate to protect and fund local innovation, more inventors will take their talents abroad, further worsening the brain drain,” he said.
The 22nd NCIST which commenced on Monday is expected to end Thursday (today).
NAN
