Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora has said that Science and Technology Park is needed to form the base for industrial competitiveness of a developing economy like Nigeria.
He said this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital at the stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the development and management of Science and Technology Parks and the integration of technology foresight in National Development.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs Monilola Udoh added that Science and Technology Park programme has been globally celebrated as one of the essential platform that have transformed the developmental landscape of the Nations that embrace it.
The Minister who noted that the Science and Technology Parks remain a place where ideas are nurtured listed few among the numerous advantages it offers on National economies to include:
“Stimulate and effectively manage the flow of knowledge and technology amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets, Facilitate the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes, provide other value-added services together with high quality space and facilities,” he said.
Dr Mamora further promised that the R & D capability of Nigerians will further be boosted and more results will be achieved when the National Research and Innovation Council NRIC and the National Research and Innovation Funds NRIF become operational very soon.
He revealed that the Ministry is already partnering with Institutions and development partners locally and internationally to assist in the implementation of the SHESTCO Science and Technology Park.
The Director General of Sheda Science and Technology Complex SHESTCO, Dr Paul Onyenekwe noted that a Knowledge-based economy is dependent on high investment in education and training.
