Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji (middle) Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, (FIIRO), Dr. (Mrs.) Jummai Adamu Tutuwa (2nd left) Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister FMIST, Dr. Robert Ngwu (right) Business Development Manager Mr. Wojciech Zawistowski (2nd right) Director, Food Department FIIRO, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Oluwole (left) and others at the Opening Ceremony of the Training Program for Youths and Women Organized by Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) on Newly Developed Technologies held in Abuja.

To empower the Nigerian youths, the Federal Government has unfolded plans to leverage on indigenous technology offers by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos

To this end, the government has commenced training of the youths on Cassava and Potato bread production. Mushroom cultivation, Cosmetic, date syrup manufacturing, and the conversion of Diesel Generators to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, stated this at the opening ceremony of the training programme for youth and women organised by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO),  in Abuja.

Chief Nnaji said that innovation, Science and Technology (IST) are the foundations of sustainable development and economic resilience for any nation which plays a vital role in achieving the eight priority areas outlined  by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Nnaji, “to meet our national goals, our Ministry have established strategic partnerships, signing multiple Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to leverage Nigeria’s local raw materials and human resources. By working closely with regional agencies, we utilize our nation’s resources to drive innovation across Nigeria’s Geo-political zones”.

He noted that the Ministry’s Technology and Innovation Centres serve as hubs where Stakeholders in the STI Eco-system come together to enhance research and development application and foster innovation, supporting Nigeria’s movement towards industrial and economic strength, as envisioned in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight points agenda.

The Minister also said that the Ministry is committed to advancing Nigeria’s industrial and technological base, in alignment with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda which includes fighting poverty, driving economic growth and fostering job creation for national development.

Nnaji urged all stakeholders to support the young Nigerians by purchasing their product in ensuring their sustainability, adding that prioritizing Nigerian-made goods, as they meet high standards will contribute to national economic growth.

He also urged the trainees to approach the program with dedication, forming innovation clusters that will promote Nigeria’s transition from a consumption-based to a production driven economy.

Earlier, the Director -General and Chief Executive  officer of the Federal Institute of  Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Jummai Adamu  Tutuwa, said that Innovation, Science and Technology holds the vital  key to present and future development of any nation as it plays a fundamental role in wealth creation, improved quality of life, economic growth and transformation in any society.

She stated that the Agency has been vigorously pursuing its mandates to ensure that Research and Development (R&D), innovation engagement, ultimately translates into products, goods and services in the market place, thereby creating jobs as well as generating income for an improved economy.