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  • Reps reject bill to relocate FIIRO back to Lagos

    Reps reject bill to relocate FIIRO back to Lagos

    The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill seeking to return the headquarters of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi back to Lagos.

    The headquarters of the agency which has operated in Lagos for over 60 years was relocated to Abuja through the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Act, 2023 which also established offices of the agency in the six geopolitics zones of the country.

    Moving a motion for the consideration of the bill, the lead sponsor, Fayinka Moses Oluwatoyin argued that the Institute, having operated in Lagos for several years has state-of-the-art equipment in Lagos which cannot be moved from the city.

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    He said while it is ideal to have the Institute operate regional offices in the six zones, it is unhealthy to move the headquarters of the Institute from Lagos.

    Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) who argued in support of the bill said the headquarters should be allowed to remain in Lagos because it is closer to the majority of the industries whose personnel it is supposed to train.

    But former deputy speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, and Minority Whip of the House, Ali Is spoke against the bill, saying national interest should be allowed to prevail and not be about further controversies.

    Wase reminded the House of the controversy that followed the decision to relocate the Federal Civil Aviation Authority and some departments of the Central Bank to Lagos.

  • TETFUND, FIIRO to partner on products’ commercialisation

    TETFUND, FIIRO to partner on products’ commercialisation

    A team from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) yesterday visited the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos to explore ways of partnering to commercialise its products at the forthcoming TETFUND National Research Foundation Fair billed for November 17-22 at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

    The team comprised the Chairman of the Fair Organising Committee, Prof. Umar Bindir; Prof. Anthony Christopher Okpe and the Deputy General Manager, Innov8 Hub Mr.  Deji Ige.

    Welcoming the team, FIIRO’s Director-General/CEO, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, said: “The people that are looking for jobs are beginning to understand that FIIRO can fulfill whatever they want.

     “And, secondly, I want to say that FIÌRO is strategically placed to fulfill the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, through food security or capacity-building or creation of jobs.

    “I am happy that today the TETFUND people are here and they have seen what we are doing and they are now appreciating what FIIRO is doing.”

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     Bindir, an engineer, recalled that Mr. President in 2023, under his Renewed Hope Agenda recognised that there are many people that required renewal of their hope. And the core objectives of the agenda are “to renew and reinvigorate the economy very creatively and innovatively by massively generating employment among Nigerians, particularly young people who are either educated or not educated, but unemployed and put money in the pockets of such Nigerians”.

    The chairman added that the critical catalyst for the agenda is technology.

    He said: “Technology is what drives people with the appropriate skills to take advantages of what their country can offer. So, our objective coming to FIIRO, like most institutions similar to FIlRO, is to come and see the capacity that you have accumulated here, not just the capacity, but to see products that you have been able to evolve through research and development.

    “And I’m happy to report to Nigerians that we have come here; this is not our first time. FIIRO, having survived between 60 to 70 years of existence, has so many technologies that are ready for absorption by Nigerians to actually renew their hope. We have seen manufacture of drinks from technologies that are very, very critical and high-tech. We’ve seen production of even energy, elements like briquettes and so on and so forth.

    “We’ve seen the evolution of machinery from small-scale hand-operated machinery up to pilot plant level, producing immensely. We’ve seen efforts of producing products based on technology with infrastructure, the building industry etc.

    “So, we’ve come to FIIRO to encourage its management led by their Director-General and their scientists to bring these products that are ready for Nigerians to absorb to the technology fair.

    At the technology fair, we believe that young people, who are encouraged and who want to be on their own, who want to raise their hope, will come there and see the possibilities.

    “We’ve also visited the development banks and we’ve also encouraged the commercial banks to come to the fair to see the possibilities with Nigerian technology. That is not even enough. We’ve even visited the business groups like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to encourage their members to come to the fair so that they can see how they can amplify the productivity of their industries and so on.

     “We’ve even gone ahead to encourage embassies and the development partners to come to the fair so that they can make their interventions more efficiently, particularly using Nigerian technology to create jobs and wealth. So, this is the broad bandwidth of our own objective, and we believe that if we start this way and we sustain this effort for the next four to five years, you will now see Nigeria emerging as a technology giant.

    “Cameroonians will come here to look at what we have done to help their people. We will see Benin Republic people who are our next neighbours. Maybe we can even get Egyptians and other international countries to come here and learn. This is the objective. So, TETFUND, being an institution supporting researchers to do research, is transforming gradually to say that if you want our funding for research, make sure that your proposal and objectives are with a research programme that can, ultimately, lead you to something that is commercialisable. Gone are the days for this theoretical research that will continue going on and on and on and on. Well, not that they are not important, they are. But, TETFUND wants to ensure that the intervention they do becomes practical.

     “We have enough technology with big commitment and, certainly, we have the leadership with the policy to ginger these young people to take the responsibility of their lives.

    Okpe,  also of the Ahmadu Bello University,  Zaria, said the committee hoped that during the fair, FIIRO and other organisations that would participate, would “midwife the situation” that would give birth to production of the technology from researches.

    He said they had seen some innovations that could put FIIRO in a vintage position at the fair.

    Ige said entrepreneurs were ready to partner good and bankable researches.

    He said: “The purpose of every research, in every society, is to solve problems. When problems are solved, jobs are created, livelihood is assured, and welfare of the people is assured. So, when people are doing research and development, there should be a purpose to it. The good thing is that FIIRO is on the track of such purpose.

  • FIIRO mulls rural urban industrialisation across geopolitical zones

    FIIRO mulls rural urban industrialisation across geopolitical zones

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi [FIIRO] is championing rural and urban industrialisation in the six geopolitical zones through the deployment of the 250 indigenous technologies developed at the Institute.

    This was made known by the DG/CEO FIIRO Dr. Mrs. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa during the opening ceremony of the two days Industrial Linkage Technology Extension to SMEs for rapid industrialisation of national economy at the Institute’s Southsouth geopolitical Zone, Agbor, Delta State, recently.

    The FIIRO boss who was represented by Dr. Francis Ezebor, the FIIRO South South Zonal Coordinator, informed the 50 participants drawn from the six states in SS GPZ that the overall objective of the program is to expose the 250 commercialised technologies developed at FIIRO to industrial stakeholders in the small and medium enterprises sub sector.

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    She said this will be followed up with practical hands-on practical demonstration of fish smoking technology.

    Justifying the choice of fish smoking technology, she said it is cost effective as far as investment is concerned just as she observed that raw materials availability and ready market for smoked fish.

    At the closing ceremony on the second day, Tutuwa congratulated the participants for having acquired new business ideas to invest for self-empowerment.

  • FIIRO, American varsity to partner on exchange scheme, research, others

    FIIRO, American varsity to partner on exchange scheme, research, others

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) and the American University of Medicine and Technology (AUMT) have indicated interest and readiness to  collaborate in the areas of research and development, human and material capacity-building,  exchange programmes among others

    This came to light when FIIRO Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr.(Mrs.) Jummai Adamu Tutuwa played host to the country representatives of the American University of Medicine and Technology.

    Dr. Adamu Tutuwa, while speaking at the event, said the visit was at the instance of the university and it was aimed at identifying with the infrastructural and research and developments (R&D) that are ongoing in FIIRO.

    She assured her visitors on FIIRO’s achievements so far, which she said were aimed at boosting national technical advancement and create a platform for professionalism and global best practices; improve the gross domestic product of the country and bring about steady socio-economic transformation.

    Highlighting the achievements of the institute over the years and the recent ones that characterised her administration, Dr. Adamu Tutuwa said: “We have always identified and brought up solutions to the country’s numerous challenges.”

    She said the competent workforce of FIIRO is an asset that should be desired by any organisation and by so doing, they can assist the university in knowledge-sharing, intellectual impartation and training the trainers’ programmes.

    In the area of researches, the director-general said FIIRO has over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, which are manned by competent Nigerians that are prepared to translate their research findings to tangible products that can improve the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians.

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    The leader of the five man delegation, Professor Duro Oni, expressed the university’s interest and readiness to collaborate with FIIRO in the areas of research and development, human and material capacity building and exchange programmes.

    FIIRO as a foremost research organisation in Nigeria has over 250 commercialisable research products. The ripple effect of its training programmes has helped in poverty eradication and job provisions.

    Recently, the institute has upgraded its six zonal offices in the country’s geo-political zones.

    Research products of FIIRO have helped in the medical, pharmaceutical, food and engineering industries in Nigeria. This year, FIIRO was identified as the best innovative research institute in Nigeria for the second time running.

    Its director-general said she is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the much-desired transformation and renewed hope agenda of the Federal Governments takes its root from FIIRO.

  • Food inflation: FIIRO empowers women bakers, confectioners

    Food inflation: FIIRO empowers women bakers, confectioners

    As prices of food stuff skyrockets the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi [FIIRO] has embarked on training women on bread baking and confectionaries, which is the staple food of many families.

    Dr. Mrs. Jummai Tutuwa, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the  foremost industrial research institute in Nigeria also said as a technology provider, FIIRO  has trained over 500,000 entrepreneurs and provided services to about 70 per cent of the Small Medium Enterprises [SMEs] operating in technology incubation centres all over the 36 states of the federation.

    “This has resulted in the creation of millions of jobs through direct and multiplier effect of these technology transfer efforts” said the DG FIIRO  in the Institute’s office in Oshodi Lagos during a three days technology transfer for women which was organised by FIIRO in conjunction with region 36 of the Redeemed Christian Church.

    “FIIRO, the foremost Industrial Research Institute in Nigeria has been in the vanguard of industrialisation and socio-economic development of Nigeria through her research results,” said Dr. Tutuwa.

    “The training starting today”, explained the DG, “ is specifically on Cassava bread baking and confectioneries production technologies. You will all agree with me that bread is a staple food not only in Nigeria but all over the world. Bread is generally consumed on daily basis with its consumption cutting across age, social strata, religion, ethnicity, and so on.

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    “FIIRO has increased the varieties of breads available to us for consumption through its R&D efforts at developing local contents in bread making.”

    She further explained that “This is a training workshop that ordinarily would have cost individuals much more than was paid but the Institute in sharing in the vision of the RCCG to reposition her members, has given a generous rebate to ensure that this workshop is conducted for this group (We would have loved to have more women).”

    She noted that the training was as a result of the Institute’s research and development efforts at developing cassava bread due to abundant availability of cassava in Nigeria.

    Adding that currently, Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world. “I want to state it clearly that the Institute pioneered research at producing cassava bread in Nigeria dating back to the 60s”.

    Dr.Tutuwa said “It is very obvious today that government alone can no longer carry  the burden of direct employments for our teeming youths in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    “The best way to go now is to encourage our youths and women to develop entrepreneurial culture towards self-employment, this is also in tandem with the Renew Hope Agendas of Mr President. All over the world entrepreneurship has been acknowledged as the surest way for massive job creation.”

    “Ladies and gentlemen, the journey of a thousand mile begins with a step. Today, we are taking the one big in a thousand mile with you in your entrepreneurial journey with this training on cassava bread baking and confectioneries production. I strongly believe that this process will lead to massive job creation and very soon we shall begin to see your products in the markets in and around Lagos as well as all over the nation.”

    Encouraging the participants, She urged them  to cooperate with the trainers/instructors.

    “Please feel free to ask your questions. When you are through with the training please do not procrastinate, start your enterprise immediately. There is joy in starting small and growing big. Don’t give in to excuses, start something immediately after the training.

    “Most of the multinational companies you see today started as small family businesses. The world is waiting for your products! Don’t allow this opportunity to waste.”

    Forex scarcity, rising inflation has continued to trigger the cost of bread.

    Bread price has continued to go up as virtually all items we use in baking bread is imported. Yeast, sugar, flour, flavour etcetera. Last year, bread prices went up about three times.

    Even this year, we are expecting the price to go up again as Emmanuel Onuorah, the President of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria disclosed last month that bread prices will increase again this month by 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

    According to him, bread barker’s production has dropped by 70 per cent due to harsh economic realities in the country.

    The development comes as the price of materials used for bread production such as flavour, rose to N12,000 in December 2023 from N9,000 in January last year.

    Besides, the price of flour from N30,000 to N45,000, Sugar rose to N49.000 from N30,500, and yeast to N44,000 from N23,000.

    He appealed to the government that tax collected from imported wheat should be used to develop in-country wheat production and the sector in general.

    However, the Chief Executive Officer FIIRO said that if bakers starts imbibing the 20 per cent cassava flour in the wheat flour for baking that prices of bread will naturally drop.

     Responding to the question on why after all the work FIIRO has done towards cassava bread and yet this bread is not found on shop shelves or market she stressed that FIIRO has trained over 500,000 men, women and youths on how to make this cassava bread and now FIIRO is trying to see how it can give them money to support them adding that very soon the product will be available.

  • FIIRO, firm to produce brake pad, other vehicle parts

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in conjunction with Mulifeong Motors Limited (MML) has sealed a deal to start commercial production of vehicle brake pad and other motor parts and accessories.

    This followed the memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties in Lagos recently.

    Justifying the need for the business deal, the Acting Director General/CEO, FIIRO, DR. Chima Igwe, disclosed that the Institute working with other research and development bodies has produced brake pad technologies, battery manufacturing technologies, spare parts and vehicular component manufacturing, adding that spark plug refurbishing, lead refinery and ceramic component for transmitting electrical cables were also achieved.

    According to FIIRO boss, “The Institute has adopted strategic collaboration with relevant institutions in both the public and private sectors to ensure effective delivery on its mandate. This is in line with the current international best practices to promote effective public-private partnership with a view to reducing production cost, synergising to achieve best results through shared facilities and human resources as well as promoting projects and programmes of mutual benefits.

    “In recent years the Institute has collaborated with a number of private companies and institutions locally and internationally which include May & Baker Nigeria Plc., NASCO Foods, Honeywell Group, Covenant University, Landmark University, Afe Babalola University, Lagos Polytechnic, Lancaster University UK, and most recently GIZ/Bosch, a German company to mention a few.”

    Responding, the Chairman/Managing Director, MML, Princess Mulikat Sanni, stated that her mission for Nigeria was to manufacture made in Nigeria car and not just assembling cars like Nissan, Toyota and some other.

    She said, “We need to put our own plans to action. We need to put the right policies in place and we must enforce it, otherwise it will be a mirage. What happened to our Steel rolling mills? We must put it into function to sustain the auto industry.

    “We used to have over seven vehicle assembling plants and all those things fizzled out overnight. Nigeria is so blessed that we can manufacture complete vehicles from the scratch to finishing without importing anything. With this MOU, we will have no business importing brake pad anymore. With what you have in FIIRO, we will move this nation forward,” she assured, even as she pointed out that the collaboration with FIIRO was to add value to what FIIRO has, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation at large.

  • Minister commissions seven new projects at FIIRO

    …Vows to develop local capabilities

    The management and staff of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) were in celebration mood as the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu commissioned seven projects completed by the institute in Lagos recently.

    The projects are the newly constructed Library complex, newly constructed Animal house/ Toxicology laboratory, Spawn production laboratory, renovated Sensory Laboratory, and renovated Laboratory for CFET department, renovated Foundry building and renovated Electroplating building.

    Onu at the occasion reiterated federal government commitment to stimulate the various sectors of country’s economy using local research findings from the Ministry and the parastatals such as FIIRO.

    According to Onu, his ministry is currently intensifying its efforts in the development of indigenous capabilities and their domestication for national industrial and economic development.

    “Several technologies and R&D results/products have been developed by FMST’s Research Institutions which are readily available for commercialisation, with a view to supporting the economic diversification needed for wholesome national rebirth.

    “Of course, the Ministry recently held an Exposition that attracted numerous entrepreneurs, investors, industrialists, innovators and inventors among others, which greatly impacted on the business community, facilitated industrial linkages with research and development,” Onu stressed.

    He disclosed that in a bid to contribute to the economic development of the county, agencies of the Ministry such as the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), FIIRO, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), have established centres in different states of the federation to provide support to SMEs across the country.

    “They have trained and empowered so many entrepreneurs through their various technologies and innovative skills programmes. My Ministry is very committed to this diversification process using the tool of STI and will continue to support actions that will support economic diversification, entrepreneurship and employing the suitable technologies towards promoting SMEs for economic growth”, he stressed.

    He commended Gloria Elemo, the Director General and the entire management of FIIRO for embarking on these projects and making them a reality.

    “These facilities when available for research and academic purposes help institutions to recruit and retain top researchers. There is global competition for top researchers, and only institutional reputation is key to attracting them. The facilities will also help researchers win research grants and this is critically – important, especially now that government alone can no longer fund research due to dwindling revenue at the disposal of the government. They are very important for researchers to exploit the full benefits and opportunities of the networked world, including such developments as open access and social media.

    “I wish to state that the establishment of these modern facilities is very apt particularly at this period when the world has become a global village. I strongly believe that these facilities will provide the needed medium for interactions among our researchers and their colleagues all over the world,” Onu stressed.

    In her welcome address, Prof. (Mrs). Gloria Elemo DG FIIRO expressed her delight over the commissioning of the completed capital projects at the institute by the minister.

    Elemo disclosed that the efforts of management and creative leadership in creating an enabling environment for research to thrive and the effort of scientists at FIIRO who according to her toil endlessly, using what is available to them to churn out laudable research and development.

    “One of the projects that we are proud of is the newly completed building complex housing both the library and extension &linkages department. The building replaces the very old and outdated library which has been in existence since 1957, just a year after FIIRO was established.

    “I cannot overemphasise the importance of a functional and updated library in a Research institution. The developed world has since been benefiting from a knowledge-driven economy and the time has come for us as a people and institute to have a world-standard library where knowledge can be acquired, disseminated and even accommodate development of new knowledge,”Elemo noted.

    She says FIIRO is heading towards becoming a place where core researchers of the institute can sharpen their minds and develop new ideas from existing ones and also, doing so in tranquility; which is sometimes required in the birthing of new ideas and honing of old ones.

    She stated that another aspect of this building that is critical to FIIRO’s progress is the Extension and Linkages department, which is charged with effectively and efficiently connecting FIIRO with the world through its partnership and coordination offices.

    She pointed out that the institute has worked on virtually all the raw materials available in Nigeria both agro-based and mineral resources excluding oil and gas, adding that It has developed over 250 technologies since inception based on the locally available raw materials through its R&D activities.

    “About 500,000 techno-entrepreneurs have been trained at the institute through its various technology transfer and entrepreneurship development training programmes. Most of these entrepreneurs have set up profitable businesses generating millions of employments through multiplier effect thereby reducing poverty, creating wealth and conserving foreign exchange.

    “Today, the institute pride itself as a major technology provider to the MSMEs in Nigeria. This building serves as a learning hub where MSMEs can acquire knowledge that would help them grow their businesses as well as tap into FIIRO’s developed technologies to enhance their opportunities,” Elemo stressed.

  • FIIRO unveils solar boiler, mobile garri processor

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos has unveiled its newly fabricated solar boiler and garri processor to enhance food and agro-allied processing activities in the country.

    FIIRO, in a statement by its Director-General, Prof. Gloria Elemo, in Lagos, said the solar powered boiler was fabricated to solve the issue of irregular power supply, which hindered production in the industry.

    She said the steam boiler could be used in major industrial sectors such as food and beverages, pulp and paper products, textile and chemical industries.

    Elemo added that more than 90 per cent of materials used in fabricating the boiler were sourced locally, and this means a lot of savings for the country in terms of foreign exchange.

    “The garri processor is equipped with modern technology and an in-built computer, which can be programmed in any Nigerian language so that the illiterate farmer in any part of the country can operate it,” she said

    The FIIRO boss, who emphasised the need for steam and heat in manufacturing processes, listed some FIIRO-developed equipment that use steam to include drum dryer, pasteuriser, parboiler, palm oil refining plant and the ginger oleo-resin.

    Others are essential oil distillation plant, fruit juice/paste concentrate ethanol processing plant, pulp and paper digester, blanching and sterilisation.

    She stated that the mobile garri processing unit was to solve the problem of small-scale processors, as it helps to ease their work and save man hour.

    She noted that the processor would also enhance efficiency, as well as reduce the cost of processing garri, while its mobile nature would make it possible to service

    more people at their convenience.

    Elemo said the institute would continue to develop more technologies that would impact on the activities of major stakeholders to spur economic growth.

  • FIIRO unveils solar boiler, mobile garri processor

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos has unveiled its newly fabricated solar boiler and garri processor to enhance food and agro-allied processing activities in the country.

    FIIRO, in a statement by its Director-General, Prof. Gloria Elemo, in Lagos, said the solar powered boiler was fabricated to solve the issue of irregular power supply, which hindered production in the industry.

    She said the steam boiler could be used in major industrial sectors such as food and beverages, pulp and paper products, textile and chemical industries.

    Elemo added that more than 90 per cent of materials used in fabricating the boiler were sourced locally, and this means a lot of savings for the country in terms of foreign exchange.

    “The garri processor is equipped with modern technology and an in-built computer, which can be programmed in any Nigerian language so that the illiterate farmer in any part of the country can operate it,” she said

    The FIIRO boss, who emphasised the need for steam and heat in manufacturing processes, listed some FIIRO-developed equipment that use steam to include drum dryer, pasteuriser, parboiler, palm oil refining plant and the ginger oleo-resin.

    Others are essential oil distillation plant, fruit juice/paste concentrate ethanol processing plant, pulp and paper digester, blanching and sterilisation.

    She stated that the mobile garri processing unit was to solve the problem of small-scale processors, as it helps to ease their work and save man hour.

    She noted that the processor would also enhance efficiency, as well as reduce the cost of processing garri, while its mobile nature would make it possible to service

    more people at their convenience.

    Elemo said the institute would continue to develop more technologies that would impact on the activities of major stakeholders to spur economic growth.

  • FIIRO, others win ministry’s N2.2b prizes

    THE Federal Government has rewarded three deserving agencies in the Ministry of Science and Technology with N2.2 billion.

    The Federal Institute of Industrialised Research Oshodi (FIIRO) won the star prize of N1 billion, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) got N700 million as second prize winners and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) came third with N500 million.

    Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu made this known during a consultative meeting with Director-Generals of parastatals in Abuja.

    Onu said the prize was won in a competitiveness assessment of the ministry’s 17 agencies.

    He also added that the assessment was made by a high-powered Competitiveness Assessment Committee (CAC) co-chaired by credible nominees from the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering.

    The ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, AbdulGaniyu Amino, in a statement, stated: “Dr. Onu said the assessment was made by a high-powered Competitiveness Assessment Committee (CAC) co-chaired by credible nominees from the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering. Other reputable members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Science Association of Nigeria, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, the National Universities Commission, among others.

    “He further said the committee assessed each agency on the quality and relevance of their individual mandates, which range from the number of patents, quality and relevance of research to national development to the number of research findings successfully commercialised.

    “Dr. Onu said the ministry took the decision to challenge the competitive spirit of the agencies by creating a reward system for those who excelled in their assigned duties …”