The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that the 2021 Technology and Innovation Expo is a platform to showcase ideas that will transform Nigeria’s economy from commodities to knowledge based.
Onu said this during a news briefing on Saturday at the Eagle Square, Abuja, after a facility tour and inspection of the progress of work done in preparation for the expo.
The minister noted that ideas rule the world and that the country had relied entirely on commodity based economy for a long time which was not helping the country.
He said the sixth edition of the 2021 expo, which is an annual event, is scheduled to begin from March 15 until March 19.
Onu expressed optimism that the 2021 expo would help to move the nation’s economy to one that was dependent on knowledge and also innovation driven.
e further said that the expo was critical, not just in helping to commercialise research and innovation findings, but also to help in the fight against poverty.
The minister maintained that the fight against poverty would come by job and wealth creation and also to ensure that Nigeria became self reliant.
“With over 200 million citizens and the largest economy in Africa we cannot continue to be importing things we need from outside.
“ We should be able to produce many of these things in Nigeria and meet our needs then export the surplus to other countries,’’ Onu said.
He said that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would give Nigeria a wide scope to trade with other African countries and beyond with enormous possibilities.
However, Onu explained that the upcoming expo should not be confused for a trade fair where people could come for the sole purpose of buying and selling.
“This expo is unique and very important for our nation because it brings together our scientists, researchers, our innovators, with investors, everybody coming together to know the work that is going on,’’ he said.
Accordingly, Onu also said the the work in Nigerian universities, research institutions, polytechnics and secondary schools in the country should be aptly showcased at the expo.
“We have many people in the formal sector who are very creative and who have come up with great inventions and innovations.
“Therefore, the essence of this expo is to explore ways in which we can commercialise our research findings,’’ the minister said.
He further noted that the most important thing was to make sure that there would be availability of job opportunities for young and old being very important to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
