By James Isaac, Abuja
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, and Senator representing Adamawa Central, Aminu Iya Abbas, has warned that Nigeria’s development aspirations will remain out of reach unless deliberate investments are made in science, technology, and innovation.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor funding of research and development, noting that meaningful economic transformation cannot occur without prioritizing scientific advancement.
“There will be no appreciable growth in the economy if we fail to channel efforts into funding research and development,” Senator Abbas said. He called for improved budgetary provisions to support science and technology, describing it as the only path for Nigeria to realize its potential.
Citing global examples, Abbas highlighted how recent military operations in the Middle East showcased the power of science, noting that the United States employed stealth aircraft to strike Iran—an operation he said would have been impossible without advanced technology.
He criticized the less than ₦10 billion allocated to science and technology in the national budget, questioning how such a small amount could address the nation’s widening innovation and infrastructure gaps. He therefore advocated for a significant increase in funding for the sector.
On recent political developments, Abbas spoke about the resolution of the PDP’s prolonged tussle over the position of National Secretary, described it as an internal issue now firmly settled. “Whatever happened was a family affair. Our party has internal mechanisms for resolving issues, as was demonstrated on Monday,” he noted.
Senator Abbas expressed confidence in the PDP’s resurgence ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Nigerians are not happy with the current state of affairs. Comparatively, things were better under the PDP,” he said.
While acknowledging recent defections from the PDP, he maintained that the party’s strength remains intact. “Politics is local. At the end of the day, we will all return to our constituencies. In Adamawa, the PDP remains strong,” he concluded.
