Return to the Original Mandates of FMST Research and Development Agencies.

Honorable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (HMSTI)

Executive Vice Chairman / CEO,

National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)

Abuja

Introduction

I wish, respectively, my dear respected Honorable Ministers, to state for avoidance of doubt, that the Mandates of R&D Institutions / Agencies including that of NASENI, under the FMSTI need to return to their Original Mandates. What are these Mandates? They are to undertake Research and Development / Technology Innovation Activities in Nigeria’s Economy and to produce / manufacture Technologies of production and services in Nigeria’s Economy and to manufacture Industrial Goods (Capital, Consumer processed Food Items, and Industrial Materials including organic, inorganic, and special chemicals)) respectively in Nigeria’s Economy. The FMSTI Agencies are certainly not mandated to undertake primary / basic Scientific Research / Discipline oriented Scientific Research, which is the primary Responsibility of the University Faculties of Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Medical Sciences, respectively, the output of which is Scientific Knowledge. Inventions and or discoveries. However, Science and Technology Education and Scientific Research and technical Skills acquisition at Secondary and Tertiary Education Levels are imperative for R&D Work.

It is the Responsibilities of R&D / Technology Innovation Institutions/ Agencies to convert the Discoveries / Inventions / Scientific Knowledge, into Technologies of production and Services in the Economy and Industrial Goods (capital, Consumer processed these Items and Industrial Materials ) for mass production by the Nigeria’s Industrial Entrepreneurs both at Large / Small Enterprises including Nigeria’s OPS levels . The Question is, Are these what is going now in Nigeria’s Economy?  For avoidance of doubt, Technology Innovation is the modification, upgrading and or modification of existing Technologies to become new Technologies. Is this also what is going on now in Nigeria’s Economy?

In my Key- Note Address at NASENI Event, at Eagle Square, Abuja in 2018, I did illustrate the example of R&D by the Work of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish Physical Chemist, who converted Gelignite an explosive material through R&D, into Commercial Explosives which led to his enormous Wealth and Awards of Nobel Prize for distinguished Work in the Sciences. Also, I pointed out in my Epilogue One of my Book, *Scientific and Technological Innovations in Biafra, The Ogbunigwe Technology Fame. 1967-1970, pages192-217, how PRODA under the Leadership of Professor Gordian Ezekwe, a Mechanical Engineer and Specialist in Power Equipment, was able to produce/ manufacture Industrial Goods including Capital Equipment, processed food items and industrial which provided PRODA with a substantial percentage of PRODA’s Annual Operational Budget. That is the FMSTI Mandate that should be returned to FMSTI Institutions / Agencies.  I want also to call your Attention to the Reports which led to the establishment of most R&D/ Technology Innovations Agencies in Nigeria’s Economy, namely,

• The Report of High Level National Conference Organized by the Federal Cabinet Office, under the Leadership of the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation in February 1972 and February 1973, respectively, in which, I, Felix N. C. Oragwu, FSAN had the privilege to serve as Chief Scientist / Coordinator of the respective National Conference Reports, I still have my own Copies of the Report
• The earlier Mentioned Epilogue One of my Book on *Scientific and Technological Innovations in Biafra, pages192-217, dealing with R&D in Biafra and Nigeria, respectively,
• My Current Book, titled, *Technology and Wealth of Nations*(African Experience )  ANNEXES 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3, Pages 357-392, which provided a Functional Blue print for Technology Education and Industrialization of the Nigeria’s Economy. , and
• My Website Blog, titled *technogeria.ng (Technology in Defense of Nationhood which documents most of my Writings and Publications on Technology and Industrialization of Nigeria

I sincerely believe that the above Writings, Publications and Books will assist the FMSTI to effect a quick return to FMSTI Original Mandate of Technology and Industrialization of Nigeria’s Economy,  so that Nigeria can produce and manufacture Technologies of production and Services and globally competitive Industrial Goods in her Economy, both for Domestic Use and for Export to Global World Market for foreign Currency and Wealth, so that Nigeria can address Nigeria’s Technological / Industrial Economic  Underdevelopment, Poverty, Joblessness and related Insecurity now prevailing in Nigeria. My Book, Technology and Wealth of Nations (African Experience) has provided Nigeria’s Economic Development Planners, Science, Engineering Community, Education Institutions at Secondary and Tertiary Levels what to do to effect the Change.

Highest Regards.

Felix N. C. Oragwu, FSAN.  

Pioneer Director in Charge of the Department of Science and Technology Policy, Planning and Development (DPPD) of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), 1979-1987.