Govt to build standard labs in varsities across geopolitical zones

THE Federal Government of Nigeria is to build one standard laboratory in a university in each geo-political zone of the country.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, disclosed this while receiving the award of Icon for Societal Change from the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja.

Nabasu told the delegation that government was determined to implement the recently signed Executive Order 5 which would make Nigeria  a knowledge-based economy by 2030.

Nigeria, according to him, would be among the top 20 economies in the world in no distant time due to the policies of the federal government.

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He, therefore, urged the students to make use of their ideas and innovations to help the technological sector of the country.

The permanent secretary highlighted some innovative programmes by the ministry aimed at boosting the performance of well-deserving young people in the society.

“These programmes include: the 774 Young Scientists Presidential Award aimed at identifying potential young scientists of exceptional ability, the Junior Secondary School Science kits aimed at helping rural communities with science equipment,” he stated.

He said there is a department in the ministry saddled with the task of aiding scientists in their difficulties in the field of research and design.

Earlier, the director of protocol of NANS, Comrade Abdulmalik Usman, extolled the selfless quality of the permanent secretary which he said is evident in the level of achievements and landmark strides in the ministry.