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It is therefore obvious that if Nigeria, given its natural endowments, is to successfully transform its economy and take her rightful place in the comity of nations, S&T and its integration in national socio-economic development processes must be accorded the highest priority.
2011 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (STI) POLICY
1.0 PREAMBLE
The 2011 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy was designed in tandem with the objectives and pillars of the NV20:2020 so as to resolve practically the long term disconnect between economic planning and science and technology. The new policy on STI thus have as its core mission the evolution of a new Nigeria that harnesses, develops and utilises STI to build a large, strong, diversified, sustainable and competitive economy that guarantees a high standard of living and quality of life to its citizens. Specifically, the new STI policy was designed to provide a strong platform for science, technology and innovation engagement with economic transformation that is citizen centred.
It is our collective interest as a people and a nation to therefore pursue the implementation of this policy which has been designed to drive the Economic Transformation Agenda and deliver it objectives as an integral part of the NV20:2020.
2.0 General Policy Objective:
Build a strong Science, Technology and Innovation capability and capacity needed to evolve a modern economy.
2.1 Specific Policy Objectives:
i. Facilitate the acquisition of knowledge to adapt, utilise, replicate and diffuse technologies for the growth of SMEs, agricultural development, food security, power generation and poverty reduction.
ii. Support the establishment and strengthening of organisations, institutions and structures for effective cordination and management of STI activities within a virile national innovation system.
iii. Encourage and promote creation of innovative enterprises utilising Nigeria’s indigenous knowledge and technology to produce marketable goods and services.
iv. Support mechanisms to harness, promote, commercialise and diffuse locally developed technologies for the production of globally competitive goods and service that intensively utilises Nigeria’s raw materials.
v. Facilitate and support the creation and maintenance of up-to-date, reliable and accessible database on Nigeria’s STI resources and activities.
vi. Promote activities for effective STI communication and inculcation of STI culture in Nigerians.
vii. Create and sustain reliable mechanisms for adequate funding of STI activities in Nigeria.
viii. Initiate, support and strengthen strategic bilateral and multilateral co-operations in scientific, technological and innovation activities across all sectors of the economy.
3.0 POLICY STRATEGIES:
3.1 STI Promotion: There is need to popularise and inculcate STI culture in Nigerians for rapid socio-economic transformation.
3.2 Human Resource Development in STI: The imperatives of self-sufficiency and global competitiveness require development of national capability in STI to stimulate inventions and generate innovations for sustainable development.
3.3 Research and Development: There is need to prioritise strategies (i.e. R&D sectoral issues) for multidisciplinary mission-oriented R&D activities in S&T geared towards the generation, acquisition, storage, application and diffusion of S&T knowledge for national development.
3.4 Intellectual Property Rights: There is need to create and protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and give recognition to creative Nigerians in order to stimulate the development of inventions as well as create wealth for IP owners and country.
3.5 Technology Transfer and Diffusion: There is need to develop capacity and capability in technology transfer processes in order to stimulate rapid technological and industrial development.
3.6 Standardisation and Quality Assurance: Globalisation drives new technologies, products and processes across national boundaries. Consequently, there is need for adherence to quality and international standards in carrying out scientific, industrial and commercial activities for global competitiveness.
3.7 STI Information Management System: Establish an effective information management system designed to provide real-time access to functional and updated database on STI activities in order to provide a platform for accessing, sharing and exchanging information.
3.8 Women and STI: There is need to mainstream women in STI and provide more incentives to increase women’s participation.
4.0 FUNDING STI ACTIVITIES:
For the policy to achieve the desired impact, there is need to evolve reliable and sustainable funding frameworks from government, private sector and development partners.
5.0 STI Partnership and Collaborations:
Nigeria must become an active player in the global web of STI activities contributing to and benefitting from global pool of STI knowledge for sustainable development.
6.0 GOVERNANCE OF STI: To enhance effective coordination, direction and management of STI activities in Nigeria, it is essential to establish and strengthen relevant institutions and structures needed to provide sound STI administration, good governance as well as quality leadership at all levels of governments.
7.0 INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: The lack of long term commitment to STI has been a major impediment to our nation’s economic development. Therefore, there is a need to accord STI a central role in national economic planning and development through the establishment of effective institutional and legal framework as well as linkages at various levels within the NIS.
For detailed STI Policy,click below
Final draft of STI Policy.
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