By Giwa SHILE
The Central laboratory of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has been certified by the International Standards Oragnisation (ISO) to analyse and certify food and non-food products for export.
the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed on Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa during the 16th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology.
Onu said that the certification would curb the challenges of Nigerian products being rejected at the international market.
“This implies that any of those products certified by FIIRO, will no longer require further analysis outside the country. Our exported products will no longer be rejected.
“This is an important step that will help us to start exporting processed raw materials with value addition thereby generating revenue for the country,” Onu said.
He added that the development would help in job creation, poverty reduction, improve quality of life of Nigerians.
“It is relevant to note that this giant stride will further help to redirect Nigeria’s economy from commodity dependent to a knowledge and innovation driven one with attendant benefits of ensuring high quality of products and services of the micro, small, medium and large scale enterprises, while maintaining global competitiveness,” he said.
The minister said that FIIRO was the first public agency in the country to receive ISO certification making it a leading research institute in the country.
Onu said that the theme of the meeting “Enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in all sectors of the economy through effective development of Science, Technology and Innovation” was apt in view of the role Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) play in the industralisation and economic development of a nation.
“It is a well chosen theme reflecting on our nation’s current challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the realisation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 to 2020, as well as utilising the cross -cutting nature of STI as engine of socio-economic advancement of any nation,” Onu said.
He noted that there had been a remarkable improvement in the level of innovation in the country between 2015 and 2017, where about 50 research findings were patented through the assistance of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
Onu said this was an indication of the appreciation of the role of STI in nation building.
He said that between January and February, 20 patents were processed through NOTAP, saying, ” this is a clear evidence that Nigeria is on the March towards a new dawn, where research and innovation will be used to stimulate growth in the economy and promote competitiveness in the global arena.”
