Lack of political will is the bane of Science & Technology – Prof. Bugaje

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By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria.
The Director General, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, (NARICT) Zaria, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje has identified the lack of political will and absence of a clear road-map as the major challenges facing Science and Technology, Research and Development leading to a weak innovations in the economy.
Bugaje stated this in a keynote address he delivered at the National Conference, organized by the School of Applied Science, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria with a theme, “Science, Technology and Innovations as Catalyst for Change, Applications, Prospects and Challenges for National Development”.
He said the absence of synergy between government, private sector, Research and Development institutions, very little consultation among stakeholders takes as well as the absence of a strong research leadership drive at all levels contribute to the situation.
According to him, the funding is very dismal and erratic; TETFUND excludes research institutes even when they collaborate with institutions of higher learning.
Professor Idris Bugaje described the situation which research and development is facing as unfortunate which leads to a weak staff motivation that cause the brain drain in both local and global scenes.
The Director General called on the Federal Government to create a new ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology Innovation (HESTI) from the present Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the department of Higher Education of the Federal Ministry of Education as obtains in many emerging economies.
He said if created, it will have very catalystic effect on research and publications with greater streamlining and focus on generation of innovation in key thematic areas.
While calling for the establishment of research and innovation fund, the scholar said if established, it will identify priority areas for funding to enhance and upgrade manufacturing in Nigeria to meet demands of local markets and for exports.

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