The Honorable Minister of Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to drive agro-industrial development and economic transformation, as the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr Sam Ode paid him a courtesy visit today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, the Minister highlighted the vast opportunities for collaboration between FMIST and Benue State, particularly in the commercialisation of research outputs and the deliberate pursuit of 30 per cent value addition to raw materials.
Dr. Udeh noted that as the Food Basket of the Nation, Benue State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s drive to move from raw commodity production to value-driven agro-processing, industrialisation and job creation.
The Minister stressed that translating research findings into market-ready products remains a core priority of FMIST, adding that STI must be positioned to directly support food security, wealth creation and sustainable development at both national and sub-national levels.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode who was accompanied by the Honorable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dwem James congratulated the Honourable Minister on his appointment and commended his vision and leadership at a critical time for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He described science and technology as the bedrock of any serious organisation and government, noting that no economy can achieve sustainable growth without deliberately investing in innovation and knowledge-driven systems.
Barr. Ode further stated that as a sub-national government, Benue State is committed to aligning its policies, institutions and programmes with the Federal Government’s science, technology and innovation agenda, in order to maximise impact and ensure coherence in national development efforts. According to him, science, technology and innovation remain the cornerstone of development, productivity and competitiveness in today’s global economy.
Both parties expressed strong optimism about deepening collaboration and agreed to sustain engagement aimed at deploying innovation, research and technology as tools for agricultural transformation, industrial growth and inclusive prosperity.
The visit underscores FMIST’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships with states to ensure that innovation-driven policies deliver tangible economic outcomes and improve the livelihoods of Nigerians across the country.
Mrs. Pauline Sule,anipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
