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FG Pledges to Apply Science, Technology To Building A Better Future
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured that the administration will build a better future for the country using innovations in science and technology.
Osinbajo, who gave the assurance at the Science and Technology Expo 2018 in Abuja on Monday, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved a science and technology roadmap 2017 to 2030 to drive the initiative.
According to him, the Federal Government plans to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem by supporting the development of innovation hubs in partnership with the private sector.
“This is well on course; we have recently completed a competitive selection process for the private sector entities which will implement and manage the hubs.
“Each of these hubs will focus on solving the market challenges peculiar to the region of the country in which it is located.
“Perhaps, more importantly, is that we are collaborating with the Bank of Industry with a civic hub, a private hub, and other private sector entities to run a presidential technology innovation challenge in all Nigerian universities, public and private and some polytechnics in April.’’
He said that each university winner would be invited to an awards event to be hosted by Buhari at the presidential villa
Osinbajo said that the administration would also create technology hubs in universities in the six geo-political zones
He said there was the need to celebrate the achievements on Nigerians at home and abroad in the science and technology sphere as well as the creativity of the nation’s military.
He recalled the Air Force had demonstrated the drive to innovate by launching the very advanced Un-manned Arial Vehicles (UAV) to add to an earlier production of a revolutionary version diaphragms used in fighter gets.
“They are now in the process of commercialising the products and we are told that several countries have already expressed an interest in buying the diaphragms from the Nigerian Air Force,’’ he said.
He recalled the fifth executive order signed by Buhari aimed at boosting programmes that had science, engineering and technology components.
He said that the order outlawed the use of foreign contents where the local counterparts were available and urged ministries, departments and agencies to align with the order to achieve its lofty objectives.
He said science and tech remained a major input in the economic growth plan aimed at moving the country away from a resource-based to knowledge-based model.
The vice president commended those who emerged the best from all the 774 local government areas of the country in the young Nigerian scientists’ competition.
He consequently announced that the first three winners had been granted full scholarships up to Phd level in any science-related discipline of their choice in Nigerian universities.
“The future of our country belongs to young people; it is our duty to create the enabling environment for them to be nurtured and grow to the fullest potential,’’ he said.
He commended the Ministry of Science and Technology for initiating the technology and innovation expo, adding that Nigerians had always demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and inventiveness at home and abroad.
According to him, with the right environment and support there is no limit to how far Nigerians can go, especially in innovation, science and technology.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power, has said that the federal government plans to end power sector subsidies from 2027 and that there are no immediate plans for tariff increases.
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power
The minister told journalists during the media interactive session at the weekend that the government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidy payments from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector.
He explained that the planned removal forms part of the broader reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, while tackling the financial challenges confronting the industry.
According to the minister, despite the planned subsidy withdrawal, there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reassuring consumers that the government is not considering a tariff hike in the short term.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
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