The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, says nuclear science and peaceful application of nuclear materials are vital tools to facilitate socio-economic development of the nation.
The minister said this when Members of African Atomic Energy paid him a working visit in Abuja on Wednesday.
Onu said nuclear science permeated and found application in all aspects of socioeconomic life including health, agriculture, security education among others.
He said that the challenge before electricity could be solved with science and technology nuclear to fast track industrialisation of the nation.
Onu, who said nuclear science was very important, underscored the need for Africa to take STI seriously; adding that all developed nations laid emphasis on STI.
He noted that his ministry through some of its policies was taking the lead in transforming from depending entirely on commodity to knowledge-driven by innovation which is achieving results in less importation.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Yusuf Ahmed, had introduced the delegation to the minister.
Yusuf said he also came to inform the minister about the bilateral cooperation the International Atomic Energy had with Nigeria.
NAN
