GIANT STRIDES OF HON MINISTER NNAJI IN NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji epitomizes progressive leadership, fueled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Since assuming office two years ago, he has led a bold transformation in Nigeria’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector—restoring efficiency, fostering commercialization, and deepening global partnerships.
His exemplary leadership and the transformative initiatives in the ministry has championed advancement in Nigeria’s science, technology, and innovation landscape.
Nnaji’s vision for positioning Nigeria as a knowledge-driven economy continues to inspire stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.
Governance with transparency and accessibility,
a hallmark of Nnaji’s leadership is his open-door governance style, which promotes stakeholders’ engagement and ensures accessibility.
This approach has made the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology a hub for impactful policy implementation and collaboration.
In the last two years, Nnaji has observed that over 170 universities in Nigeria produce thousands of research papers annually with Less than 2% of university research outputs transitioning to commercial applications
He has also observed that there is limited understanding of intellectual property management and commercialization processes and inadequate linkages between academia and industry partners.
The Minister is planning to convene a national stakeholders’ meeting to address these critical gaps.
Such gathering would:
-Align all ecosystem players toward common objectives
-Develop actionable implementation frameworks
-Establish clear metrics for success measurement
-Create sustainable funding mechanisms.
In other climes, private sector expenditure on research and innovation amounts to about 76% of the total expenditure.
It is also the best way to trigger research-industry partnerships and facilitate technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes.
In Nigeria, the ministry seeks to incentivize private sector players to invest in research and innovation activities, hence the establishment of this technical sub-committee.
To foster trust and ensure long term sustainability, all contributions to the scheme shall be domiciled in and managed by the Bank of Industry.
A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Research and Innovation Council and National Research
and Innovation Fund to set National priorities on Research, Innovation and Development and for
Related Matters has passed for Third Reading.
Driving Innovation and Commercialization under his leadership, the ministry has shifted beyond research to focus on commercialization, turning discoveries into viable solutions for national growth.
Notable strides include:
– The establishment of PROD-ME (Project Delivery, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team)—streamlining ministry operations and ensuring strategic alignment with presidential objectives.
– A shift from bureaucracy to inclusive decision-making, guaranteeing that STI investments yield measurable results.
– Strengthened collaboration with private-sector stakeholders accelerating indigenous technological growth and entrepreneurship.
AI Adoption and Global STI Partnerships
Nnaji is positioning Nigeria as a key player in AI adoption and global technological advancements, ensuring alignment with international standards.
His leadership has achieved:
– Engagement with the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to secure AI integration that meets evolving global trends.
– Establishment of the Nigeria-Brazil Science and Innovation Dialogue to enhance high-level commitment and co-develop flagship projects.
– Revamping of Nigeria-Cuba STI agreements, with plans to launch a Biotechnology and Innovation Working Group and host a Bilateral Science and Technology Summit.
From Raw Materials to Value-Driven Transformation
For too long, Africa has exported raw materials while importing dependency. Nnaji is rewriting that narrative through local content policies, digital traceability systems, and commercialization frameworks.
Under his leadership:
– Nigeria is shifting from raw material extraction to strategic transformation ensuring scientific advancements fuel national progress.
– The Ministry is championing industrial self-sufficiency ensuring Africa’s resources serve Africa first.
Strengthening Oversight on National Projects
Nnaji’s focus on accountability and policy enforcement has prompted key engagements with the national assembly, including:
– Implementation of local content provisions in the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
– Advocacy for legislative and executive planning, ensuring long-term sustainability of national STI initiatives.
Nigeria is building Africa’s largest Green Methanol complex for marine fuel and biofuels. The move, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to drive innovation, jobs and economic diversification.
With this development, Nigeria is expected to lead Africa in Marine fuel production. Nnaji, has His Hands on the Plough.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji is not just overseeing a ministry—he is leading a national transformation.
His commitment to commercialization, innovation and global partnerships is laying the foundation for a technologically advanced Nigeria.
To sustain this mometum, stakeholders must rally behind the Honourable Minister.
Nnaji is often quoted as saying that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, innovation and commercialization of research output are no longer buzzwords but strategy for national competitiveness.
Nnaji’s values-driven leadership was recently captured and epitomized by the Seventh Silent Heroes Awards were among other things his selfless acts were highlighted.
He has shown that real empowerment comes in education, in skills, in opportunities and in purpose.
Lets rise above the distractions of social media cynicism and pay attention to the bigger picture of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the STI sector.
Nnaji is Working the Talk for Prosperity, Science, and Future Generations. The time to support and accelerate this revolution is now.
Engr. Patricks Oghuma, PhD.Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister(Technical Administration)Deputy Lead, PROD-ME
