The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) has manufactured automated machines for the production of Kunu and Zobo drinks.
The machines said to have been designed to enhance competitiveness and productivity in the food and beverages industry have been unveiled.
The spokesman of FIIRO, Mr. Chris Olumuyiwa, who made this known on Wednesday in a statement he issued, said the machines were unveiled during FIIRO’s Day at the ongoing Technology and Innovation Week, 2018, in Abuja.
The machines, according to FIIRO, were produced in partnership with Automation and Engineering Nigeria Limited.
The production of the machine, FIIRO said, was in agreement with its plan to continue to use technology to improve the manufacturing sector.
The statement also quoted Prof. Matthew Ilori Ilori of the African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as saying that “there are no economic gains from Research and Development (R&D) until the outputs (including patents) are exploited.’’
He stated that innovation occurs through entrepreneurial activities that explore marketing, as it is only possible when R&D is demand-driven, and solves real life problems.
Ilori regretted that Nigeria was rated least in terms of global competitiveness, released by the World Economic Forum.
“Other countries are rated higher because they allocate adequate funds to Research and Development and commercialisation. For instance, South Korea allocated 4.4 per cent of its budget to Research and Development and innovation,” he said.
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The don lamented the poor funds allocated to research institutes in the country, adding that the resources were small and spread on numerous researches running concurrently.
“For instance, in OAU, records showed that grants were allocated to about 46 research projects between 1998 and 2002, and 87 research projects between 2003 and the first quarter of 2007.
“Unfortunately, most of the projects are surveys, impact analyses, appraisals, evaluation studies or analytical studies, while only about one per cent is innovative or interdisciplinary,” he said.
Ilori urged the Federal Government to allocate more funds to R&D and commercialisation, while appealing to the private sector to also contribute more to R&D and innovation.
He said that increased R&D and commercialisation would translate to more jobs, wealth creation and economic growth. (NAN)
