The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, has reaffirmed that strategic collaboration between government and the private sector remains essential to unlocking Nigeria’s vast technological potential, creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people and positioning the country as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy.
The Minister stated this when he received the Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh in his office in Abuja.
Dr. Udeh noted that the meeting reflects the shared commitment of the Federal Government and leading indigenous technology companies to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation through innovation, technological advancement, indigenous capacity building and strategic partnerships that will strengthen economic diversification and national productivity.
Describing Zinox Group as one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous technology companies, the Minister commended the organisation for its longstanding contributions to the nation’s ICT sector and its unwavering commitment to promoting home-grown innovation. He disclosed that the Ministry is exploring collaboration with the company under its Youth and Students in Innovation initiative, a flagship programme designed to equip young Nigerians with practical digital skills, mentorship and innovation support that will empower them to become entrepreneurs, job creators and drivers of economic growth.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s youthful population represents one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing that with the right investments, mentorship and opportunities, the ingenuity, creativity and energy of young people can be harnessed to develop innovative solutions that will add value to their lives while contributing significantly to national development.
Dr. Udeh reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that promotes research, innovation, technological advancement, digital inclusion and the commercialisation of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, commended the Honourable Minister for the visionary leadership and transformative initiatives he has introduced into Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, particularly the Youth and Students in Innovation initiative, which he described as a timely intervention capable of nurturing the next generation of innovators and technology entrepreneurs.
Mr. Ekeh noted that the future of Nigeria lies in deliberately identifying, nurturing and harnessing the talents, creativity and energy of its young people, adding that such investments would not only create opportunities for self-development but also drive sustainable national growth and global competitiveness.
He reaffirmed Zinox Group’s readiness to partner with the Ministry in advancing digital literacy, strengthening indigenous technology, supporting innovation-driven enterprises and implementing impactful programmes that will empower Nigerian youths while contributing meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic transformation.
Mrs. Pauline Sule,anipr
Head, Press and Public Relations, FMIST
