Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said that Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) is the vital solution to the national challenges and engine room for transformation and acceleration of the nations economic advancement.

According to Nnaji, the objective of the Technology Expo is to promote locally made goods and services which will reduce the high cost of importation, enhance revenue generation, create employment opportunities and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

The Minister said this at the World Press Briefing of Technology Innovation Expo 2024 tagged ˜Solution to National Economic Challenges today in Abuja.

He explained that the Technology and Innovation Expo was established in order to create awareness about Science and Technology as well as showcase the achievements and also unite inventors, innovators and investors for possible commercialization of research outputs of the sector.

Nnaji stated that the present Administration is fully committed to ensuring that its Renewed Hope Agenda of accelerating economic diversification, through industrialization, digitilization, creative arts, manufacturing is achieved through the application of Innovation, Science and Technology.

The Minister expressed his optimism that, with our collective and unrelenting efforts, our quest to achieve a service driven economy that is competitive in terms of culture, socio-economic and political independence, the future of our country will be great.

To this end, he called on the Nigerian Technopreneurs in the Organized Public Sector (OPS) to be patriotic and inward looking and partner with the Ministry in developing the Countrys IST sector for economic growth and development of the nation.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye said that the country is facing so many challenges but with the proper application of scientific tools, the problems can be addressed, adding that the nation will not be left out as the world transits into the fourth industrial revolution. (Channels TV)