About 250 locally made technological products which can generate hundreds of billions of naira for Nigeria have been presented to local and foreign investors by the Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO).
The technological products, all developed by Nigerian scientists at FIIRO Day, were presented on Tuesday during FIIRO Day at the ongoing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Expo on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the Director-General FIIRO Dr Mrs Jummai Adamu, that “we have conducted cutting edge research on some raw materials readily available in Nigeria leading to the development of not less than 250 technologies, resulting in the creation of profitable enterprises which invariably has led to the generation of jobs through its multiplier effects, thereby reducing poverty and earning of foreign exchange”, the FIIRO Director General Dr Jummai Adamu said.
Jummai who presented the products said FIIRO had focused on Research & Development (R&D) activities that are market-driven, and demand-oriented and could move Nigeria from an import dependent to sustainable self-reliant and production for exports.
She called on investors and other relevant partners to invest in our cutting edge R&D products, goods and services and also collaborate with the Institute to support the nation to achieve its diversification agenda of moving from consumption to producing economy through effective utilisation of Science, Technology and Innovation in the shortest possible period.
Nigeria’s mono-economy she said, depends on oil and gas, which is non-renewable, had kept the country away from meaningful development that would have made it respected among the comity of nations.
Speaking of the institute’s technological achievements, the FIIRO boss said her organisation had achieved numerous inventions for the betterment of the nation in order to gradually put an end to importation. Adding that, the Development and Production of High Nutrient Biscuits for School Age Children; the Development and Production of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods for the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM); Nutraceuticals for the Management of Diseases such as Sickle Cell Anaemia-Research and Commercialisation; Development of Antilipemic/Hypolipidemic from Selected Fruits for the Management of Obesity; Utilisation of Neem Extracts for Production of Neem Skin Care/Oral Hygiene Products; and Development and Production of Fibre-Enriched Bread, amongst others are the initiatives introduced into Nigeria’s economy.
Also speaking, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Mamora, said FIIRO being one of the oldest agencies under the purview of the ministry has done well trying to commercialise inventions by the institute, urging them to so better.
