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Tag: Chief Geoffrey Nnaji

  • We’ll support talent, innovative ideas, says Minister

    We’ll support talent, innovative ideas, says Minister

    The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, has pledged that no talent or innovative idea in Nigeria will go unnoticed or unsupported under his leadership.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the NextGen Innovators Challenge 2025 in Abuja yesterday, Nnaji said the ministry is committed to empowering young Nigerians with innovative ideas, no matter how small.

    The Minister who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Administration, Dr. Robert Ngwu said the NextGen Innovators Challenge is more than a programme, but a national movement.

    This, he said, is a clarion call to every young Nigerian with a spark of brilliance, a novel idea, or a transformative solution ready to shape collective future.

    He noted that the initiative, spearheaded by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in partnership with UK-based consulting firm UKALD and other strategic collaborators, is aimed at dismantling barriers facing grassroots inventors across Nigeria.

    He added that the initiative will cover all 774 Local Government Areas, with a goal to build an inclusive and diverse innovation pipeline.

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    Nnaji said the programme is designed to channel local ingenuity into global opportunities.

    He said: “From locally built drones to solar-powered vehicles, smart agriculture applications, and clean energy solutions. Participants will gain access to investors, mentors, technical support, and commercialization pathways.

    “This is a journey powered by the spirit of discovery, sustained by visionary leadership, and driven by the unyielding spirit of the Nigerian people,” he added.

    In his remarks, the Director-General of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Raji, described the initiative as a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places innovation, technology, and industrial development at the heart of national progress.

    “This is not just a competition, it’s a technological movement. We’re awakening the creative potential of Nigerian youths and positioning them on the global innovation map. Our mission is clear: to empower grassroots innovators and ensure that Nigeria’s genius is recognised worldwide.”

  • Minister warns against food adulteration, contamination

    Minister warns against food adulteration, contamination

    • ‘200,000 Nigerians die annually from food-borne illnesses

    Innovation, Science and Technology Minister, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, has  warned against food adulteration and contamination in Nigeria, revealing that the country records about 200,000 deaths annually from food-borne illnesses.

    He broke the news at the launch of the Food Safety Operational Manual and training for Food Safety Desk Officers in Abuja yesterday.

     The Minister, represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Prof. Samson Duna, described food safety not just as a health issue, but as a matter of national security and economic development.

    Citing statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Chief Nnaji said that over 600 million people fall ill globally every year due to contaminated food, resulting in approximately 420,000 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria alone accounting for nearly half of those fatalities.

    “The Federal Government will henceforth apply the full weight of the law on individuals and businesses involved in the criminal and unethical practices of food adulteration and contamination,” Nnaji stated.

    He emphasized that his ministry, through the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCoFST), is working to strengthen regulatory oversight across all levels of government, particularly at the local government level where food safety supervision is weakest.

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    The minister highlighted that the ministry regards food safety as a science-driven enterprise and has directed relevant agencies and research institutions to take concrete actions in this regard.

    Firstly, he urged them to develop cost-effective technologies for food preservation and quality assurance, ensuring that food remains safe and nutritious throughout the supply chain.

    Secondly, he emphasized the need to promote indigenous innovations that respect Nigeria’s rich culinary diversity, encouraging the use of local knowledge and practices in improving food safety.

    Lastly, the Minister directed the deployment of mobile and digital training tools tailored for informal food vendors operating in both rural and urban areas, to enhance their knowledge and practices in food safety.

    Nnaji praised the leadership of NiCoFST for the development of the food safety manual, describing it as a groundbreaking step in advancing food safety in Nigeria.

     He praised the Registrar and CEO, Mrs. Veronica Ezeh, and her team for their professionalism and foresight.

    In her remarks, Mrs. Ezeh  warned  food vendors, restaurants, and food business operators, urging them to stop engaging in food adulteration and other harmful practices that violate public health regulations.

    She identified several alarming methods of food adulteration that pose serious risks to public health.

    One such method is washing fruits and vegetables with detergents to enhance their appearance, making them look fresher and more attractive to unsuspecting consumers.

    Another dangerous practice involves removing animal skin using burning tyres, which releases toxic substances that can contaminate the meat.

    She also noted the widespread use of harmful chemicals like carbides to ripen fruits prematurely, a method known to leave toxic residues.

    Equally concerning is the practice of cooking meat with paracetamol tablets to make it tender, a misuse of medication that can have severe health consequences.

    Lastly, she warned against adding harmful dyes such as Sudan IV to red oil and pepper to make them appear more vibrant, a practice linked to cancer and other serious illnesses.

    “These practices are not only unethical but also lead to severe health consequences such as kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, malnutrition, and cancer,” she warned.

    Mrs. Ezeh lamented the failure of many local governments to employ qualified food safety professionals, despite constitutional provisions mandating such appointments.

    She called on the chairpersons of all 774 local government areas to recruit licensed food safety officers and urged policymakers and development partners to institutionalize food safety frameworks and support related initiatives.

    More than 150 participants, including food safety desk officers, representatives from regulatory agencies, and food business operators, attended the training on the newly launched operational manual.