By Our Correspondent
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to support Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda through demand-driven research and development.
Nnaji gave the assurance at the eighth edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME-Expo) and the Ninth Edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM-Expo), on Tuesday in Lagos.
TheNewsZenith reports that Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) organised the event.
The theme of the event is: “The Future of Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialisation of Nigeria”.
The minister said the event was apt, promising to create an enabling environment for research and development.
According to Nnaji, the event serve as a critical window to embrace machinery and equipment to produce goods.
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It would also support sustainable development and ensure Nigeria is not dependent on developed nations.
The minister said RMRDC supports industrialisation by its adherence to development and promotion of pilot agricultural and mineral raw materials.
RMRDC also supports process equipment to meet manufacturing industries’ requirements.
As Nigeria embarks on implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Nnaji said consistent engagements amongst stakeholders in the raw materials and manufacturing value chain of the economy were critical.
This, he said, is to avoid overbearing dumping of sub-standard raw materials and products on Nigeria from across the world.
“My ministry has begun the process to establish and replicate the centre across the six geo-political zones, through the RMRDC.
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“This is to allow for even development of resource-based industrialisation and encourage local production of raw materials.
“Such development effort is in line with strategic implementation of Presidential Executive Order No. 5.
“Focus will be raw materials where Nigeria has competitive advantage over and above other nations of the world.
“I urge industrialists and investors to replicate the process technologies showcased at the centre at commercial scale for increased manufacturing activities,” the minister said.
He also called for a strong Triple Helix initiative to deepen collaboration and linkage between MAN and agencies under his ministry.
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