Nigeria must shift from consumption to production if the country must attain greatness, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo made the assertion in Awka, Anambra on Friday, during a national innovation workshop organised by the senate committee on science, technology and innovation.
The vice president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh, assured the gathering of the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting innovation, while encouraging inventors to think towards commercialisation of their innovations.
“As you are aware, the office of the vice president has been championing the adoption of innovative technology as a key tool to accelerating social economic development in Nigeria? The way to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich is by thinking out of the box, through innovation and commercialisation of course.
“Nigeria will be great only when we begin to shift our emphasis from a consuming nation. We must rely on production and that is the only way to go.
“The positive outcome of this workshop will no doubt change the narrative from a dependent nation to a self-reliant country, and indeed promote innovation and social economic benefit.
“I wish to assure you all that the Federal Government will continue to make efforts to advance science, technology and innovation,” he said.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, has often promised to take Nigeria from being a consuming nation to a producing nation if elected in 2023.