As part of Nigeria’s 2024 “Budget of Renewed Hope”, several projects under the Ministry of Science and Technology should spark concerns about a substantial shift away from its core mission.
The Ministry, headed by Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, whose website is not functional, has now been tasked with overseeing projects which seem largely vague.
With over ₦11 billion allocated to infrastructure projects unrelated to science and technology core objectives, questions would arise whether the Ministry is experiencing a mission drift.
What is the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology?
The Ministry’s mandate is to promote scientific research, technological innovation, and development in Nigeria. However, some of the projects listed in the 2024 budget seem to stray from this focus.
For instance, large-scale infrastructure projects like the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, installation of solar-powered street lights, and the drilling of boreholes are now under the Ministry’s purview.
While these initiatives are beneficial to the communities they serve, they raise questions about whether such infrastructure projects belong within the scope of the Ministry.
The construction of roads and provision of boreholes, for example, are traditionally the responsibility of local or public works departments, not a body focused on advancing science and technology.
Projects misaligned with the ministry’s mandate
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s 2024 budget (misaligned) totalling ₦11.05 billion includes ₦1.5 billion allocated to infrastructure projects including the construction and rehabilitation of Oko-Ada Road for ₦500 million and rural roads in the North West for ₦225 million, managed by SHEDA – a government agency focused on promoting education in science and technology, primarily at the post-basic level, to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria and foster national development through scientific research and technological innovation.
Other allocations cover the continuation of public building renovations, construction of motor parks, and cassava processing plants, emphasising a focus on community development and physical infrastructure rather than tech-driven innovation.
The solar street lighting and energy projects, with over ₦2.4 billion allocated, demonstrate a significant shift toward infrastructure. For instance, ₦100 million is allocated for solar-powered street lights in Gombe South, with similar projects in Kano, Osun, and other areas, including mini solar grids and solar-powered boreholes
These projects, while valuable for rural electrification, raise questions about their alignment with the Ministry’s goal of fostering scientific and technological progress.
With over ₦2 billion allocated to empowerment and skills development, the Ministry is involved in a wide range of training and economic empowerment programs. Notable projects include ₦250 million for youth and women empowerment in Kano and ₦500 million for agricultural value chain training in Benue.
However, many of these initiatives, such as the provision of starter packs and empowerment materials, appear to focus more on socioeconomic development than on technology-based skills or innovation.
Implications of this
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s involvement in projects that are not directly tied to its mandate presents several risks.
Like the NITDA story, there are claims that Nigeria’s legislative ‘use’ these agencies to carry out constituency projects without regard to the mandate of the said agency, but, there’s a growing concern that its focus on technology-driven advancements could be diluted. For an agency designed to foster scientific research, digital innovation, and technological development, these deviations can weaken its ability to deliver on core objectives.
Again, while these projects are important for the communities they serve, they are typically the responsibility of other government bodies or local agencies. By managing these projects, the Ministry risks spreading itself too thin, diverting financial and operational resources from essential technology-driven initiatives. Projects like the Training of Youths on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Provision of Laptops in Niger East Senatorial District for ₦200 million, managed by the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), align with the goals of fostering digital literacy and tech development. However, SEDI’s focus is primarily on scientific equipment, not AI or digital training, making the assignment of this project questionable.
Similarly, the Training and Empowerment of Women and Youths in Aba North & South on Solar Panel Installation and ICT for ₦43 million, managed by PRODA, a research and development institute, is more aligned with technical skills development in ICT and renewable energy.
Other projects include Empowerment Training in Artificial Intelligence for Youths in Oluyole for ₦20 million, and E-learning and Capacity Building for Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Development in Kaduna for ₦50 million. While these projects promote tech advancement, they have been assigned to institutions like the Nigeria Institute for Science Laboratory Technology (focused on lab sciences) and NBRRI (which typically handles building and road research), neither of which specialise in digital training or AI.
Even the Completion of Rural Electrification Projects in Orile Oko/Environs, while involving renewable energy, is handled by SHEDA, whose primary role is to focus on scientific research and not infrastructure projects like electrification.
These “pseudo-aligned” projects indicate an ongoing misalignment not just in the type of initiatives the Ministry is involved in, but also in assigning them to agencies outside their expertise.
