The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye has called on Nigerians to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic advancement of the country.
Mrs. Esuabana made this call at the Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community Conference ( G-STIC 2025) today in Abuja.
The conference was organized under the distinguished Chairman of Senate Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology and Chairman, House Committee on Science, Technology and Engineering in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology through it’s Agency, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM).
According to the Permanent Secretary, Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every sector- agriculture, health, education, energy and governance which has the potential to optimize production, predict climate risk, enhance policy efficiency and create entirely new forms of value in the digital economy of any nation.
Esuabana also said that AI can be used for both positive and negative ways, hence the need for Nigerians to use the positive side of it for the betterment of the nation.
She pointed out that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Africans did not die as expected because our scientists did not relent in innovating solutions that prevented the spread of the disease adding that participants should make use of the training and contribute positively to the economic growth of the country.
She tasked the stakeholders to work together and build a formidable Nigeria that will stand the test of time.
Speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology, Sen Iya Abbas said that technology is the bedrock of development of any nation.
He called on Nigeria to fully deploy the emerging technology to achieve remarkable economic development as no nation had ever developed without the full deployment of technology, he added.
Speaking also, the Chairman, House Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon. Inuwa Garba said that technology is the fundamental of human existence, which everyone depends on. Therefore, the conference is apt because this is where knowledge meets application that will offer solutions to all the challenges faced in recent times.
In his welcome address, the Director- General, National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM) Dr. Olushola Odusanya said that the G-STIC conference is an international platform that champions the acceleration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) through technology and innovation.
He added that the conference will as well discover how AI and emerging technologies can shape the future of work, education and enterprises in Nigeria as well as enhance professional capacity by gaining firsthand insights from leading experts in AI, systems thinking and systems dynamics.
Other goodwill messages pointed out that no country undermines the advancement of emerging technology that is gradually transforming all sectors of the economy of the world, and Nigeria should not be left behind.
Signed
Pauline Sule (Mrs) anipr
Head
