The federal government says Nigerians are not applying knowledge and innovation in a certain critical sector of the economy to generate earnings and spur national development.

Communications and digital economy minister Bosun Tijani stated this at the 33rd convocation lecture of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure.

The minister stated that for Nigeria to develop, three key sectors (agriculture, manufacturing and servicing)must be identified and improved, used to measure the gross domestic product since 1980.

The minister, whose lecture was tagged ‘Knowledge and research as a foundation for prosperous economy’, said universities of technology must rise more to the challenges of technological advancement in the country.

Mr Tijani said universities must create jobs through technological advancement and urged students to embrace self-investment.

“With the level of water body we have, fishery is not growing. We depend on importation of fish. Financial institutions have done very well, but not as we expected them to have grown,” the minister explained. “We are not applying knowledge and innovation; we are expecting to fish like our forefathers did in the last years.”

He added, “Forestry is suffering the same things; coming to university is not to get degrees only; knowledge must be generated, disseminated in the way it can advance the country.”

FUTA vice-chancellor Adenike Oladiji said the occasion started last week, and inviting the minister was part of the activities lined up to mark the 33rd anniversary.

Ms Oladiji said the convocation showcased the school as a citadel of knowledge and that she was happy to have the minister in Akure for the first time.

(NAN)