The minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has lauded the leadership of the National Board For Technology Incubation, (NBTI) for churning out thousands of industrialists over the years.
The minister made this known during his facility tour to the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in Agege Lagos.
After taking a look at various innovations including production of items by Small Medium Enterprises (SME) owners at the centre, the minister expressed confidence, assuring that the ministry will support the agency.
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“I am seeing some industrialists being incubated in this place and from here they move to their own business, they have churned out millionaires.
“Under the renewed hope agenda of our president senator bola ahmed Tinubu, we as ministers are eager to move and this is why we are moving up. He has said more has to be done in every quarter and jobs have to be created,” he said.
He revealed the plan of the federal government, saying that it has begun the move to establish a Research and Development Fund where SME owners can leverage on.
“Before we didn’t have a Research and Development Fund but we are at the verge of creating it where people that have excelled in innovation, technology can push their hands and take funds to develop what they have researched,”he said.
Earlier, the Director General/CEO National Board For Technology Incubation (NBTI) DR (Mrs.) Patricia Uchenna Chukwu(FNIM) thanked the support of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
In her keynote address, she harped on technology as the key to unlocking solutions to some of the most pressing issues of the country.
“It is undeniable that in the swiftly changing landscape of today’s world, progress heavily relies on technological advancements. Whether in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, or blockchain, the potential is boundless. Yet, to actualise these opportunities fully, we must adopt a culture that champions innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship,” she said.
She called on the support of the ministry in a bid to fully maximise the potentials embedded in the agencies, saying that the NBTI focuses on identifying and providing support for local talents, nurturing the upcoming generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will steer our country’s technological progress.
“Like Oliver Twist, we crave more increased funding to support the commercialisation of numerous research projects that are ready for commercial exploitation and are currently lying on the shelves of various research institutes throughout the Country.
“We are confident that by working together with all involved parties, we can close the divide between research and the market, stimulating innovation, generating employment opportunities, and spurring economic growth,” she said.
