State to Launch Indigenous Satellite in 2018 - Minister

The Minister of Science and Technology, Abdu Bulama, Monday, said Nigeria, in a bid to hasten the pace of socio-economic development, would launch its first "made-in-Nigeria" satellite by 2018.

Mr. Bulama said in Abuja that science and technology would fast track the Federal Government's transformation agenda and sustain the growth of national economy.

"The African economy, I believe in the last couple of years, has shown a remarkable sign of growth; but this growth is unfortunately more of community drive, not of the manufacturing sector.

"For this growth to be sustained and for it to be transformed into a real national transformation agenda for the development of the nation it must be productivity-based; productivity aspect must come in.

"And the only way you can do that is to develop your time and technology, to apply science and technology in your economy.

"Such that the economy, while growing, the productivity of the manufacturer will have played a key role. This is what is happening in developed societies."

He said the ministry was deploying science and technology apparatus to enhance the pace of socio-economic development and infrastructure such as roads, power, water supply, and transportation.

"This is against the backdrop of our cross-cutting role with other sectors of socio-economic development," he added.

He said the ministry was working hard to lead Nigeria into the new developmental model through integration of a national culture of science, technology and innovation.

The minister said the ministry would play role of an effective strategist and coordinator of all the research and development activities in the country.

"By this, Nigeria in the nearest future will be an acknowledged member of the fast developing scientific and technologically progressive nations of the world," he said.

He said the ministry had excelled in the production of made -in-Nigeria tricycles, curtailing of trypanosomiasis, design and fabrication of interlocking blocks and launching of road safety guidelines among others.

Mr. Bulama added that the effort to partner international bodies to complete the science and technology park at SHESTCO was on-going.