The federal government has said Nigeria will domesticate and specialise in sophisticated technology such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) through “reverse- engineering”.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, made this known when he inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial committee for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Government and Aeronautic Ltd (now Wise Guide Technology Nig. Ltd) on Monday in Abuja.
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Reverse-engineering is the reproduction of another manufacturer’s product following a detailed examination of its construction or composition.
But Onu stated that the purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) is basically for research, development in the area of unmanned Area Vehicles (UAV).
He said the MoU was signed to enable the ministry to incorporate an inter-ministerial committee that will pioneer the implementation of that MoU through research and development.
Onu added that for Nigeria to be self-reliant, it has to take her own destiny into her own hands by looking inwards and developing the country’s home products.
The benefit of being self-reliant, Onu said, could not be overemphasized as it would help to create jobs, wealth and reduce extreme poverty.
The minister assured the Committee that the FG would continue to research until the country is able to domesticate its own technology and innovation so as to improve the country’s homegrown products, and improve Agriculture, Security, even in oil and gas sectors.
He charged the committee to finish the work within two weeks, adding that members of the committee should offer their utmost best.
Earlier, Yahaya Isa, who spoke on behalf of the chairman of the committee, said the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), is thinking ahead of time, especially with the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) department.
He assured the ministry and Nigerians that the committee would do its utmost best to deliver on their set objectives.
