Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, charged African nations to add value to their natural resources to achieve socio-economic development.

The minister gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday when a delegation of the African Union Scientific Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC) visited him.

He said adding value to natural resources would also foster self-reliance and help to reduce importation.

Mr Onu maintained that the difference between developed and developing countries was investing in science, technology and innovation.

He advised Africans to exploit their natural resources, commercialise, and export them, reiterating that with the increased focus on science, technology and innovation, African countries would be able to create jobs and reduce poverty.

Mr Onu pledged that the ministry, through one of its agencies, the National Space Research Development Agency, would partner the commission to support the Pan-African University, based in Ibadan.

Earlier, Mohammed Belhocine, the commissioner for education, science, technology and innovation at the AU-STRC who led the delegation, said the visit was to collaborate with the ministry.

He mentioned that the federal government’s support would be needed to facilitate one of the university’s institutes. Mr Belhocine added that the ministry should help with providing vital equipment needed at the institute. 

(NAN)