The Federal Government says no fewer than 600 innovators and inventors cross the six geo-political zones have benefitted from its grants since inception of the Presidential Standing Committee on Innovations and Inventions (PSCII) programme in 2005.

Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, disclosed this on Wednesday when 32 innovators and inventors received the grants in Abuja.
The minister said the grant was to encourage and promote inventions and innovations in the country.

BRANDPOWER reports that the PSCII, which was inaugurated by the Federal Government in October, 2005, awarded the grants since inception of the programme.

Nnaji, who was represented by Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the Federal Government’s collaboration with the organised private sector would facilitate the achievement of the desired goal of the programme.

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He added that this would be achieved through provision of a solid foundation for technological breakthrough as well as improving the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Nnaji noted that global competitiveness would contribute to job and wealth creation, improved wellbeing and quality of lives of Nigerians.

The minister urged the beneficiaries to utilise the grants judiciously, encouraging them to work hard in order to surmount the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the country.

Presenting Nko-Asanye at the event, the Deputy Director, overseeing Department of Technology Acquisition and Adaptation (TAA), Azuftama Dahiru, said that N47 million was granted to the 32 beneficiaries.

She said the grants ranged from one to N5 million to each beneficiary.
She added that the programme was to encourage Nigerians especially those in the informal sector who have viable technological ideas, capable of impacting positively on the populace and economy.

The Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Patricia Chukwu, said advancement of inventions and innovations ensure great technological progress and enhance efficient production, prosperity and economic growth of Nigeria.