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All research institutes under the Ministry of Science
and Technology are to undergo accreditation, the minister, Mohammed
Abubakar, said yesterday when he made a familiarisation visit to the
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja.

The minister said that the accreditation had become
necessary to ensure that each institute is capable of delivering its
mandate.

“By doing so we are trying to determine the extent to
which our capacity is tailored towards our ability to deliver our
mandate,” Mr. Abubakar said. “All research institutes under the
ministry will undergo the rigours of this accreditation exercise.”

Internal exercise

Mr. Abubakar also stated that the accreditation will
be an internal exercise and that efforts will be made to improve any
institute that does not meet up to a reasonable standard of
performance, especially in terms of equipment.

“Each research institute has got its own mandate and
the Federal ministry of science and technology has its supervisory
function. One of those functions is to ensure that the different
institutes are equipped or are poised to deliver their own mandate,”
said Mr. Abubakar. “Where we find or discover any shortfall or any
deficiency, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology will try to
repair such deficiency. We will put the concept on ground so that when
we leave, any other person that comes will continue with that.”

Practical results

The minister said Nigerians have had enough of
scientific theories and that the time has come for the man of the
street to benefit from research results.

“How are we using our science to improve the lot of Nigerians?” Mr. Abubakar asked.

He said that practical applications of research are
the criteria by which the ministry will record the agency’s success:
“Space is at the cutting edge of technology. The bottom line is for you
to tell us what you have been giving Nigerians so far. I want Nigerians
to feel the impact of NARSDA.”

Seidu Mohammed, director general of NASRDA, explained that the
impact of space science and technology is trickling down and that very
soon every Nigerian will benefit from the agency’s research results.