Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called for appropriate strategy crucial to transforming Africa into a knowledge-based and innovation-led society.
Osinbajo made the call through Mrs Maryam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, who represented him at the maiden edition of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Young CEOs Summit.
He identified Africa’s vibrant human resources as its greatest hope for development.
ALSO READ: Kano APC Court Ruling: Ganduje extends olive branch to Shekarau faction
“Young people make up the bulk of Africa’s population with an estimated 75 per cent of the continent’s population below the age of 35 years.
“From a demographic point of view, this calls for a paradigm shift towards the recognition and support of young people to harness their potential.
You may also like: Nigeria’s GDP grows by 3.98% in 2021 Q4, highest since 2014 – NBS
“Therefore, to accelerate Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy, our human resources must be empowered with requisite skills.
“Greater emphasis must be placed on innovation, including appropriate adaptation of technology,’’ Katagum said on behalf of Osinbajo.
ALSO READ: 2023: Why I will vote for Osinbajo – Edwin Clark
She emphasised the need to promote creativity and innovative technologies to process the continent’s abundant resources locally in addition to creating more wealth and jobs for the continent.
She said there was the need to develop internal capacities and marketing of new or improved products and services through engagement with end users.
The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology had been rebranded to meet future technology demands, the vice-president’s representative said.
