Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye representing the Hon. Minister FMIST, Chief Uche Geoffrey Unaji (4th left) representative of Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Mrs. Ada Oladunke (right) Deputy Director, Technology Acquisition and Adaptation Department FMIST, Engr. Azuftama Dahiru (5th right) Director, Science and Technology Promotion Department FMIST, Mr. Ronald Ukpong (4th right) Director, Planning Research and Policy Analysis Depart. FMIST, Mrs. Salamatu Mohammed (2nd left) and others in a group photograph at the Grant Award Ceremony of the 2023 Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) Beneficiaries held in Abuja.

Federal Government has given Grants Award to thirty-two (32) innovators and inventors across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji who disclosed this in Abuja stated that the Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) was inaugurated by the Federal Government in October,2005, to encourage and promote inventions and innovations in the country.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye said this at the 2023 Grants Award Ceremony of the Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) in Abuja.

The Minister said that more than 600 inventors and innovators have benefitted from the grants across the six geo-political zones of the country, since the inception of the PSCII programme in 2005.

He also, said that collaboration with private sector will facilitate the achievement of the desired goal of the Programme by providing a solid foundation for technological breakthrough as well as improve the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Nnaji added that global competitiveness will contribute to job and wealth creation, improved wellbeing and quality of lives of Nigerians.

It was against this backdrop  the Minister urged the beneficiaries to utilize the Grants judiciously and encouraged them to work hard in order to surmount the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the country.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye who was represented by the Deputy Director, overseeing Department of Technology Acquisition and Adaptation (TAA), Eng. Azuftama Dahiru, said that N47, 000,000.00 was granted to the 32 beneficiaries.

Esuabana Nko Asanye hinted that the grants range from one to five million naira to each awardee, adding that the Programme was approved to encourage Nigerians particularly, those in the informal sector that have viable technological ideas capable of impacting positively on citizenry and the economy.

Earlier, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) Dr. Patricia Uche Chukwu said that inventions and innovations advancement will ensure great technological progress that will promote efficient production, prosperity and economic growth of the Country.