Hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. (Sen.) Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora (2nd left) Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (right) Chairman Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Uche Ekwunife (left) and ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray (2nd right) at the Opening Ceremony of the Conference of African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) Theme: “SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR A COMPETITIVE ECOWAS” in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) as a road map needed to strengthen commitment to Science, Technology and Innovation for socio-economic development and growth of the Africa continent.

President Buhari also called on African countries to look inward for a better and brighter economic continent through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The President was represented by Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari at the maiden conference of the African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) held in Abuja recently.

On the theme of the conference tagged ‘’Science, Technology and Innovation for a more Competitive ECOWAS’’ the President urged FARI to proffer solutions to the challenges hindering the industrialization of Africa and West Africa in particular.

He further said that the new generation of active and productive talents are being discovered to contribute their quota in surmounting the challenges confronting the economic growth of the region, hence, the need to create FARI.

President Buhari reiterated that the time to move forward and act accordingly is now, stressing that this can only be achieved through collaboration, development of human capacity, infrastructure, and technical skills among others in ECOWAS region. He said half of the population of the West Africa region is 15 years old and above with an existing trait of unemployment, adding “we need to channel their energy and creativity in acquiring skills that confront the development of our region”

To this end, he said “Nigeria is committed to further strengthen collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation experts as an integral part of her respective national development policies and plans”.

Speaking, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. (Sen) Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, said that the forum was initiated to improve public understanding of STI in the region. The Minister further said that the forum will help in creating a regular frame work between researchers, innovators as well as commercializing research results.

Earlier, the President of ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu  Touray said that STI is the driving force for structural transformation of economy and factors of integration into world economy.

In his remarks, the Director, UNESCO Dakar regional office and OIC Abuja regional office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, said that the clock is ticking for all countries including those in Africa to reach their Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, adding that countries’ future economic growth depends on their timely transition to digital and green society driven by STI.