President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the promotion and funding of research in Nigeria to attain desired economic and technological development of the country.
President Tinubu gave the commitment recently at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja during his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS).
The reassurance of the President to promoting and funding Research and Development in Nigeria comes shortly after he approved in January 2024 over N5 billion for the funding of 185 successful research proposals under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) programme.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Academy for the recognition, noting that transformative research plays a significant role in the development of any nation.
“I believe that without great research and development, no nation can develop to achieve its desire”, he said.
He assured that his administration would continue to provide necessary support to Research and Development in the country through government policies and programmes, as well as support from relevant government ministries.
In her remarks, the President of the Academy, Prof. Ekanem Braide noted the need for healthy collaboration between government, industries and the community to address national problems.
While commending President Tinubu’s administration for recognizing the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge economy, she revealed that the Academy was working with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning on the review of documents that would aid urgent interventions for national development.
Present at the investiture ceremony were the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu.
Also present were the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede among others.
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