There are indications that Nigeria is at the verge of pulling a breakthrough in its search for a cure for the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world. Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at a virtual lecture he delivered to participants of Senior Executive Course No. 42 of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos.

According to the Minister, this followed the pledge of N36 million the Ministry announced as a reward for any cure found for the pandemic by research institutes and individuals. The Minister, had on February 13 this year challenged Nigerian Scientists to find a home-grown cure for the pandemic.

In his presentation at the lecture, Dr. Onu disclosed that many research institutions and individuals have written to the Ministry, claiming their research results and natural products can cure the disease.

The Minister noted that a Committee, comprising Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Science, has been set up to review the claims. The certified claims will earn the reward of N36 million set aside for that purpose.

The Science and Technology Minister further disclosed that as part of its response to curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies in the Ministry have been mobilized to start producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment (PPE), including high quality face masks, body immune boosters, vaccines, test kits, ventilators and telemedicine.

He added that the Ministry is presently working to upgrade the Molecular Biology laboratories in Abuja, Odi in Bayelsa State and Ibadan as part of its initiatives to tackle the pandemic.

The Minister told the Course Participants that the Ministry has recorded some salient achievements in the last six years which included the elimination of duplication of research efforts within the agencies under the Ministry; improvement in collaboration among research institutes, universities, industry and government; and considerable efforts in the commercialization of research results.

Dr. Onu also disclosed that the Ministry, through one of its agencies, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has by virtue of licensing of technology in the past six years under his watch, saved the nation the total sum of N250 billion.

Principal Officers of NIPSS who attended the lecture included the Director General, Prof Habu Galadima, Director of Research, Prof Dung Pam Sha, Director of Administration, Brig. Gen. Chukwuemeka Udaya and Director of Studies, Dr. Nasirudeen Usman.

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