‘It’s time for Nigeria to grow economy through science, tech’

The African Centre for Innovation and Leadership Development has called on the Federal Government to leverage on the benefits of science and technology in growing the economy especially at a time the country’s population is exploding

President and founder of the centre, Obidi Ezezika, said this during the Science Week Expo and Dinner to honour women who have distinguished themselves in science and technology.

“A close look at the GDP growth rate across the world, consistently shows that the fastest growth rate is in Africa, which is the ripe time for Nigeria to devise different technological mechanisms in the area of economy and health in ensuring it matches her population growth to Gross GDP,” he said.

Ezezika said the African science week took place simultaneously in Nigeria and 34 other countries across Africa to celebrate innovation and also brainstorm on the ways to use science and technology in stimulating economic development.

According to him, the week was celebrated in 13 countries in the previous year but has now spread to 34 countries as African countries are deriving means of advancing development through technology.

He called for more funding and partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology as well as relevant stakeholders in creating more awareness in bringing science to the forefront of human development.

In her keynote address, Damilola Ade, CEO of Sprout Consulting, said Nigeria has a lot of gaps in the science and technology sector.

According to her, the only way to close the gap is through creativity and deployment of technology in solving vital human development problems especially in the economic and health sectors.