President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to ensure that the outcomes of research in science and technology are used to enrich policies that impact the real sector.
Tinubu issued the directive when he received the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Ekanem Braide and the fellows of the Academy who paid him a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu directs ministers to ensure research outcomes guide policy formulation and execution across key sectors.’
Tinubu emphasised that his administration is advancing an all-encompassing approach to leveraging the capacity of Nigerians to innovate and create solutions from all spheres of human initiative across the public and private sectors, including farming, manufacturing, information technology, and academia.
He said, “The pathway to unlocking the potential of our national contribution to the global economy of tomorrow lies in what we do today.
“I am fully committed to the comprehensive integration of research, and the outcomes of research with the process of policy formulation and implementation in all fields of national endeavour.”
During his investiture as the Grand Patron of Science by the Academy, the President said the pace of change around the world, reflected in some national and global challenges, requires more reliance on research for solutions and actionable data, especially in health and education.
“The Minister of Education, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning are here.
“All the relevant ministries should sit up and ensure that science research guides process development in relevant areas of advantage.
“We must not fail to utilise research outcomes in the process of enriching our policies,” the President said.
In her remarks, Braide said a national research fund should be established as the country moves towards a knowledge-driven economy.
“Mr. President, we thank you for your support for a national research fund and we believe that this will go a long way in resolving our challenges and indeed, we can make quicker progress if we take advantage of the inputs of all Nigerians from the business community, the academia, and the public sector,” said Braide.
She listed some of the interventions and achievements of the Academy in improving the lives of Nigerians, advising that the nation’s 265 universities, 84 polytechnics, and 205 colleges of education be upscaled in science research infrastructure and funding.
The President also acknowledged Prof. Braide’s historic feat of emerging as the first female President of the Nigerian Academy of Science since its establishment in 1977.
Braide, alongside her Vice, Abubakar Sambo, Olatunde Farounmbi, amongst others, decorated the President as the Grand Patron of the Academy.
In attendance were, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono; the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
Others were the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu among others.
