Nigeria, others must harness power of research for growth- Minister

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday, said Nigeria and other African countries must harness the power of research for growth and development.

Tahir, who reiterated the common notion of education being the bedrock of development in any society, stated that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu has set in place a roadmap to stabilise the education sector in the country.

While affirming the importance of research and education in driving sustainable development, the minister who spoke at the 2024 West and Central African Research and Education Network conference currently holding in Abuja said Nigeria is taking bold steps to support all levels of the education sector in a bid to nurture critical thinking as well as to establish skills and innovation hubs across the country.

He said, “In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education under my leadership has developed a roadmap for the education sector to transform the educational system of Nigeria. We are also taking bold steps to support all levels of our educational system to nurture critical thinking and also establish skills and innovation hubs across the country.

“We must harness the power of research and education to propel the African continent forward. Whether it is in the fields of healthcare, technology, agriculture or governance. The solutions to our most pressing issues lie in the scholarly minds of our researchers and educators.”

Also speaking at the conference, the acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki encouraged participants to embrace digital transformation, foster collaboration, and cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty.

Maiyaki’s remarks highlighted the importance of preparing higher education and research communities for the challenges and opportunities ahead, calling for engagement in thought-provoking discussions, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to common challenges.