FG Tasks Nigerians On Use Of Locally Made Technology For Economic Growth

The Federal Government on Saturday called for wider adoption of locally developed technologies, saying increased use of indigenous innovations could stimulate economic growth through domestic manufacturing, create jobs and address some of the country’s household challenges.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, made the call during the distribution of solar home systems, clean cooking stoves and household support packs to 330 residents of Ondo State in Akure.

Halilu said the initiative was designed to translate research and development into practical products that could improve living conditions and provide economic opportunities for Nigerians.

He explained that the solar home systems would provide lighting for households, enable children to study at night and support small businesses, while the clean cooking stoves would offer more efficient cooking alternatives and reduce exposure to smoke when properly used.

According to him, wider adoption of locally developed products would encourage domestic manufacturing and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to develop solutions to its own challenges.

‎He said “This is to promote locally produced items which brings about employment and also to have something good for our communities.

‎”Our mandate finds its fullest meaning when technologies we develop and promote help people solve real problems, become more productive and improve their standards of living.”

‎He said the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme had reached more than 10 states across the six geopolitical zones, with 330 men and women benefiting from the intervention in Ondo State.

‎The NASENI chief executive added that the programme was intended to take technological innovations beyond research facilities and make them accessible to households and businesses.

‎Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said beneficiaries would receive additional financial support to enable them to establish or strengthen micro-businesses.

‎Olawande said the intervention was not a political strategy but an effort to take technology-based solutions and economic opportunities to grassroots communities.

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In his remarks, gov. Yusuf commended Abejide for extending his empowerment programme beyond his constituency, urging other federal lawmakers to support Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

He said such interventions would promote national unity, peaceful coexistence and economic development.