The federal government has approved the production of satellites by indigenous companies.
According to the government this will help boost broadband penetration in the country.
The satellite production and design will be achieved through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in line with Executive Order No.5. The EO5 seeks to boost local production and ensure that Nigeria relies less on imports.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh made this ground-breaking achievement known during the South -South dialogue between government and stakeholders in the Science, technology and innovation ecosystem in Port Harcourt recently.
According to Chief Ikoh, the technology and innovation centres have the task of showcasing the role of science, Technology, and Innovation in socio-economic development, he added that this will ensure Nigeria moves from a resource-based economy to a Knowledge and Innovation driven economy.
He further said the development of technology and innovation centres will provide the enabling environment for the emergence of tech-giants, innovative discoveries, and Inventions, that will accelerate reverse engineering.
According to Chief Ikoh, “It is envisaged that the operationalisation of the Technology and Innovation centres will lead to the Emergence of commercial Research and Development Companies, which will, in turn, be used to attract Research Funding from local companies and Venture Capital that would motivate Nigerians to go into the field of Science, Research and Development (R&D)”.
In an earlier comment, the National Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order NO.5, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, said the ministry would collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem to promote the application of STI in all sectors of the economy.
Speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Prince C. Mmom, commended the federal government for considering Rivers State as a host of the South-South zone and centre of excellence for global competitiveness and productivity.
He added that the state government is willing to support the promotion of indigenous technology.
