By Festus Obot
The Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh has affirmed that for Nigeria to experience sustainable industrial growth and economic development, science, technology and innovation (STI) must take centre stage in every aspect of governance at the federal, state and local government levels. The Honourable Minister gave this hint at an event to commemorate the 2025 World Science Day on Monday, November 10, 2025, in Abuja.
According to the Honourable Minister, “science, technology and innovation (STI) remains the key pilot for economic growth and industrial development of any nation, and the ministry is committed to building a society hinged on innovation, science and technology as the major driver of Nigeria’s industrial transformation”. He reminded participants at the event that one of the major thrusts of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is economic diversification, and this can only be achieved through innovation, science and technology. He assured that the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology under his leadership will be at the forefront in achieving Mr President’s economic diversification agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Esubana Nko Asanye, described science as the foundation of every community and society, without which no nation can succeed and develop. According to the Permanent Secretary, “science is the bedrock of development and an essential component that all sectors must adopt to boost their activities and achieve sustainable economic diversification”.
Mrs Esubana Nko Asanye called on all Nigerians to become active advocates of the science, technology and innovation ecosystem as it remains a critical element to hasten the nation’s drive towards economic growth and industrial development.
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In a goodwill message, the Estu Kwali, His Royal Highness Lucas Ayedo Nisasan III commended the organisers of the event and noted that science and technology play significant roles in every society. According to the Etsu Kwali, “science and technology can be evidenced in every aspect of our society, ranging from finance, education, healthcare, agriculture, climate and business. Science and technology remain a major plank for societies that have moved from dependency to self-sufficiency”. He called on governments at all levels to accord science, technology and innovation, priority attention it requires to move the nation to enviable heights among technologically advanced and economically developed nations.
The World Science Day is a day set aside globally to promote awareness of science and its role in addressing global challenges, foster dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public, inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology as well as highlight science’s role in achieving sustainable development goals.
The 2025 World Science Day with the theme: “Trust, Transformation and Tomorrow: The Science We Need For 2050”, witnessed participation from policymakers, public and private institutions, traditional institutions, academic community as well as key agencies within the science, technology and innovation ecosystem including the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and others. The day was celebrated across Nigeria’s thirty-six States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
