In a strategic move to position Nigeria as a global innovation hub and achieve a trillion-dollar economy within the next decade, Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the Interministerial Committee on Research and Innovation. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking during the event, Vice President Shettima emphasized the committee’s mandate to champion food security, energy sufficiency, and a reduction in the country’s dependence on imports. He noted that the initiative is a critical component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader vision to harness both intellectual and financial capital to propel Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“This is not merely the inauguration of a committee,” the Vice President said, “but the activation of a bold mission: to build Nigeria into an innovation-driven, trillion-dollar economy within a decade. The future we desire is not something we inherit; it is something we build.”

The committee, composed of key stakeholders across various ministries and sectors, is expected to drive policy formulation and implementation in research, technology, and innovation.

Adding to the conversation, Maule Usman, a policy advocate, applauded the initiative, describing it as a necessary shift toward economic diversification.

“Mashaa Allah, dynamism and innovation are key features of technological development for economic advancement and growth,” Usman stated. “A paradigm shift in this direction will diversify the revenue sources of the government and reduce overreliance on oil income sources.”

The Interministerial Committee is expected to play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s innovation landscape, promoting homegrown solutions, and unlocking opportunities for sustainable development.