The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, mni has lauded the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) for its outstanding research achievements and enduring contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, describing the Institute as a strategic national asset whose innovations must be translated into commercially viable solutions for accelerated national development.
He made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to the Institute as part of his ongoing engagements with agencies under the Ministry.
Speaking after touring the Institute’s research laboratories, production facilities and demonstration projects, the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deepening collaboration with NBRRI to drive innovation, strengthen local content and promote the adoption of indigenous technologies in the construction sector. He noted that the visit provided an opportunity to assess the Institute’s operational capacities, appreciate its achievements and identify areas requiring policy and institutional support.
Dr. Yawale commended NBRRI’s decades of pioneering research in indigenous building materials, road construction technologies and standards development, stressing that the Institute’s innovations have the potential to transform Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape. He urged that proven research outputs should be integrated into government policies, procurement systems and commercial value chains to reduce dependence on imported technologies, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Permanent Secretary stressed that Science, Technology and Innovation remain critical drivers of economic diversification, industrialisation and sustainable development. He emphasised that Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges require home-grown, climate-resilient and cost-effective solutions, adding that research institutions such as NBRRI occupy a central position in delivering technologies tailored to the country’s unique environmental and developmental needs.
He therefore called for stronger synergy between FMIST, NBRRI and stakeholders across the built environment to accelerate the commercialisation of research findings, enhance regulatory compliance and attract greater private-sector investment in indigenous construction technologies.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Engr. Prof. Samson Duna, highlighted the Institute’s major achievements, ongoing research projects and strategic priorities in line with the mandate of the Institute.
He reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting the Ministry’s vision through cutting-edge research, innovation, technology development and capacity building.
Mrs. Pauline Sule, anipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
