President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is working to find extra-budgetary means to fund the development in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
He said this in Abuja on Monday when he declared open, the 2022 STI Expo themed ‘Sustaining National Economic Growth through Science, Technology and Innovation.’
Buhari, represented by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, said Nigeria would soon set aside more budgetary provisions for STI.
He said Nigeria would have more resources and increased exports when research ideas were converted into products and services after more science spending.
He reiterated that at least 0.5 per cent of the nation’s GDP would be invested in the development of STI.
The president said effective utilization of STI would accelerate national development.
Some of the activities that will be highlighted at this year’s EXPO are launching of the STI television, presentation of revised STI 2022 policy and presentation of scholarship award to three secondary students who emerged winners of 2022 edition of Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition.