R-l: Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, the General Manager, Research and Development, representing Engr. Felix O. Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Alh. Abdulmalik Halilu, President of Triple Helix Nigeria, Prof. Rafael Popper, Board Member, Triple Helix Association (Global) at the opening ceremony of the 2024 SciBiz Annual Conference in Abuja on Monday.
By Chidi Ugwu
As part of efforts towards building an ecosystem for cutting-edge research, innovation and policy towards sustainable development, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday announced plans to onboard more impactful research projects in the upcoming months in addition to the fourteen applied research projects it is presently sponsoring at various stages of technological readiness.
Engr. Felix O. Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Annual Triple Helix Nigeria Conference with the theme: “Integrating Research, Innovation, and Policy: The Triple Helix Pathway to Research Commercialization”.
Represented by Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, the General Manager, Research and Development, Engr. Ogbe, called for collaboration among academia, industry, and government to foster innovation and economic growth, emphasizing the importance of integrating research, innovation, and policy for sustainable development.
“We intend to onboard more impactful research projects in the upcoming months in addition to the fourteen applied research projects that we presently sponsor at various stages of technological readiness.Pivotal to any meaningful sustainable initiative is funding, and within this context, the $50 million Nigerian Content Research & development fund was created by the Board in 2020 from the NCDF, and was designed to provide much-needed research funds in the Oil & Gas R&D space” he said.
Ogbe noted that the conference theme is particularly apt stressing that creating an ecosystem where research, innovation and policy can interact has never been more critical as we steer Nigeria its course through the complexities of the 21st century.
According to the NCDMB boss, strategically, the Triple Helix model of academia, industry, and government collaboration is an appropriate international business framework for expressing these ideas about how research can be turned into new products and services.
“This model adds to our strength of innovation and ensures that all efforts go into fuelling National Development.Research and innovation represent the lifeblood of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, as recognised by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB)” he added.
In his remarks, Alh. Abdulmalik Halilu, President of Triple Helix Nigeria, emphasized the importance of integrating research, innovation, and policy for effective research commercialization, highlighting Nigeria’s impressive growth in patent applications, signaling the potential for universities to transform into entrepreneurial hubs.
Halilu expressed optimism about the future of innovation in Nigeria and Africa through the Triple Helix model, adding that the conference aims to foster collaboration among academia, industry, and government, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops designed to bridge gaps in research application.
“Today, we stand at the crossroads of science, technology, and business, united by the goal of driving forward innovation and economic growth. Our expectation is that this conference serves as a testament to the power of the Triple Helix model, where academia, industry, and government come together to set the agenda for solution based research culture in Africa. We are here to ignite fresh conversations, build lasting partnerships, and create a brighter future through the fusion of knowledge and enterprise” he said.
In her welcome address from Prof. Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi, the Chairperson, Conference Planning Committee, emphasized the significance of collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
She highlighted that 156 authors submitted 47 papers, showcasing diverse contributions from across Nigeria, particularly from the South-South region.
Prof. Nwaichi expressed gratitude to speakers and sponsors, urging attendees to engage actively in discussions that could shape Nigeria’s innovation landscape for a sustainable future.
