Robert A. Boroffice

Ihave had the privilege of engaging in Science and Technology system in three capacities in which I have served the nation. Firstly I was a University teacher charged with the responsibilities of capacity building in Science and Technology at the tertiary level of education and conducting research in Science and technology thus contributing to the extension of frontiers of knowledge. Secondly, I had the privilege of being the Coordinating – Director of Science in the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for eight years and then the pioneer DirectorGeneral of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) from 1999 – 2008.

I played a major role in developing our National programmes in Information and Communication technology (ICT) with the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Biotechnology for National development with the establishment of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and Space Research and Development for National development with the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

Thirdly, I am currently serving as Chairman of Senate Committee on Science and Technology and its parastatals. Again, I must emphasize that my involvement in Science and Technology as a technocrat in government afforded me the opportunity of serving on some Science and Technology related United Nation Organisations. These include: the United Nations Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (UNSTD), a division of United Nations Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In my experience, I have seen how Science and Technology has been used by many countries to develop their economies, and drive national development. I observed a positive correlation between industrial developments, percentation of GDP invested in Research and Development and income per capita.

Today United States of America, Japan and the European Union are leading in Research and Development (R&D) related to economic development while Russia and United States are leading in military related to Research and Development in Science and Technology. Other countries are migrating from the status of developing countries to new emerging economies because they have employed and adequately utilised science and technology as a tool for development. Examples are South Korea, Brazil, Malaysia, India and China which is the second largest economy in the world.

In Nigeria, the development of Science and Technology institutional framework started in 1966 at post-independence. Since then the framework has experienced pathetic- checkered history of nothing less than 13 changes in the last 26 years.

By decree No 83 of 1966, the Nigerian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was established. In 1970 the Nigerian Council for