Thirty-six innovators and inventors from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have been awarded grants totaling ₦47 million by the Nigerian government to advance their inventions and innovations to the prototype and commercialization stages. The grants, ranging from ₦1 million to ₦5 million each, were awarded under the 2023 Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) initiative.
During the award ceremony, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the grants are used effectively. “The PSCII has worked out an effective mechanism to monitor and evaluate the implementation to ensure that the grants are utilized for the purpose for which they were awarded,” Nnaji stated.
He highlighted that since the PSCII program’s inception in 2005, over 600 innovators and inventors have benefited from the grants, reflecting the government’s ongoing support for technological advancement across Nigeria.
The Minister also mentioned efforts to improve the budgetary allocation for the PSCII and collaborations with key stakeholders, such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and the National Universities Commission (NUC). These collaborations aim to provide a solid foundation for technological breakthroughs and enhance the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians.
Nnaji stressed the importance of adding value to Nigeria’s natural resources through science, technology, and innovation to build a competitive economy and achieve sustainable development. “The ability of Nigeria to compete and prosper depends significantly more on the deployment of technological capacities and innovations than on the exploitation of natural resources,” he noted.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, revealed that out of 509 applications received, 36 were selected for the grants. She urged the beneficiaries to use the funds to upgrade their inventions and innovations to the next level.
Mrs. Patricia Chukwu, Director General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), highlighted the program’s impact, noting that it has led to the creation and proliferation of need-driven inventions and innovations across Nigeria. “The PSCII was inaugurated to encourage technology-based domestic initiatives as we search for homegrown solutions and innovations to foster the economic development of our country,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr. Ahmad Galadima Aminu, represented by Dr. Neeka Jacob, emphasized the vital role of science, technology, and innovation in various sectors, including the oil and gas industry, where research and innovation are critical for growth.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Raymond Rolland Tella expressed gratitude to the Ministry for facilitating the awards, stating that the grants boosted their morale and motivated them to work harder towards achieving their goals.
