New science minister charts roadmap for innovation, national development

Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Nigeria’s newly appointed minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has pledged to reposition the ministry as a catalyst for national development through a renewed focus on innovation, research, and technology-driven solutions.

Speaking at a leadership strategic meeting with directors and heads of agencies under the ministry in Abuja on Friday, Udeh said the session was convened to chart a 12-month strategic plan aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We have identified the key things that we, as an ecosystem — the ministry and its agencies — want to achieve in the next 12 months in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Udeh said.

“We understand the importance of our mandate. If we are to rise to become one of the leading nations of the world, we must take innovation, science and technology seriously — and we have resolved to do exactly that.”

Udeh emphasised that science, technology and innovation (STI) are central to Nigeria’s transformation, not only in economic growth but also in addressing challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and underdevelopment.

“It will be innovation, science and technology that provide solutions to advance our progress and development — that even tackle the hard-headed monster of insurgency and terrorism,” he stated.

The minister said the meeting produced a set of “quick wins” that would begin to show visible impact from next week. He also underscored the need for synergy and teamwork among all agencies under the ministry to deliver measurable results.

“We have agreed as a leadership that we will work as a team, identify quick wins, and begin to make remarkable impacts immediately. What will make us relevant is the impact we make in the lives of Nigerians,” Udeh added.

Udeh, who was confirmed by the Senate in November 2025 following his nomination by President Tinubu, replaces Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who resigned in October.

The meeting concluded with a pledge of unity among the ministry’s leadership and a commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s innovation and technology ecosystem drives inclusive national progress.