According to Dr. Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Nigeria cannot make significant economic growth unless there is a significant investment in science laboratory technology.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, Mamora made this claim during a one-day working visit to the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) office.
According to Mamora, the growth of the laboratory technology sector would boost Nigeria's ability to generate income, create jobs, and become self-sufficient.
He expressed hope that Nigeria's effort to further the current administration's economic diversification will be aided by the Nigerian Institute of Science and Laboratory Technology (NISLT).
He said the Institute has performed well despite its financial constraint and other challenges militating against the desired progress of the Institute, adding that government would improve the budgetary allocation of the Institute.
The minister, however, tasked the management of the Institute to prioritise its projects and programmes so as to save funds for the implementation of the most important projects.
The Minister was conferred with the Honorary Award of the ‘Fellow of the Institute’ by the organisation.
Earlier, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the NISLT, Yemi Gbadegesin, said the Institute has various challenges, particularly poor funding.
He stressed that inadequate funding has jeopardised NISLT’s desire to achieve its mandate and then called on the minister to assist in improving the budgetary allocation to the Institute by the Federal Government.