| Address |
Federal Secretariat Towers (5th & 9th floors), Shehu Shagari Way,Central Area, P.M.B. 331, Garki,, Abuja, Nigeria, Abuja |
| Notes |
The birth of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) began as far back as 1966 with the promulgation of the first Science and Technology Policy. The first Science and Technology Policy led to the establishment of the Nigerian Council for Science and Technology (NCST) under the Chairmanship of Professor V. O. Oyenuga. One of the primary mandates of the NCST was to "Encourage, support and co-ordinate scientific and industrial research of all kinds."
During President Obasanjo's first tenure as head of state in the late 1970s, the NCST was transformed into the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). Exhibiting the importance the Obasanjo government placed on Science and Technology in the 1970s, the Chairman of the NSTDA was none other than Major General Shehu Musa Yar'adua, Obasanjo's second in command.
After his election into the presidency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari enhanced the stature of Science and Technology, creating the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1979. The first Honourable Minister was Dr. S. U. Ugoh. According to the FMST's 1986 National Policy, the Ministry was to "…co-ordinate and undertake scientific and technology research and development." This included both inward and outward looking efforts such as "…integrating foreign technology into our culture; upgrading indigenous technology; promotion of international co-operation in Science and Technology."
Over the two decades since its inception, the FMST has grown from strength to strength. Today it is a Ministry central to the Obasanjo administration's economic development plans. Still taking the lead on issues related to scientific research and technological development, the FMST is now also heading up government efforts towards enhancing and expanding the Information Technology and biotech sectors of the economy.
[ Retrieved on 25-11-06 ] |