Abuja: The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has refuted a recent media report which labelled the Minister, Chief Uche Nnaji, as a 'sleeping minister'. The ministry, in a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser, Administration to the Minister, Dr Robert Ngwu, emphasized that the report was a smear campaign by detractors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the characterisation, authored by a detractor under the headline 'Honest Assessment of Tinubu's Ministers', was described as falsehood and mudslinging. Ngwu noted that the portrayal was not only inaccurate but also a gross misrepresentation of one of the most productive ministries in President Bola Tinubu's administration. He expressed concern that such claims were being propagated by a publication frequently accused of partisan bias and alignment with certain political interests in Enugu State.
Ngwu highlighted several landmark achievements under Nnaji's leadership, including securing a 7.9 billion euros foreign direct investment for 'Project Green,' Africa's largest green methanol and hydrogen complex, and spearheading the establishment of Africa's first insulin manufacturing facility in Nigeria. Other notable initiatives include the unveiling of Nigeria's first AI-powered hospital monitoring system and enabling the first Chinese-backed smart hospital. Additionally, the ministry has been training no fewer than 25,000 Nigerians annually through Project NOVA.
The ministry has also been deploying the Sustainable Energy Access Programme (SEAP) across 774 local government areas with hybrid energy and clean cooking solutions. Furthermore, Ngwu noted that they have been co-leading major Commonwealth initiatives in Artificial Intelligence, climate-smart agriculture, and indigenous resilience. The ministry has also been instrumental in driving the approval of four new satellites, which aim to strengthen national security, agriculture, and broadband infrastructure.
Ngwu also detailed progress in advancing biotechnology, local manufacturing, and research commercialisation through various national agencies. The implementation of the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project was highlighted, which involves deploying 2MW solar hybrid systems across 37 federal universities and 37 teaching hospitals nationwide to enhance healthcare delivery and academic performance.
The senior special adviser also mentioned the Patent and Promotion of Clean Cooking Innovation, the unveiling of National Energy Policy (NEP) and National Energy Master Plan (NEMP), and the establishment of a 10MW Solar PV Module Production Assembly Plant at Enugu Research Centre. Other achievements include the development of a Pilot Integrated Modular Refinery at Bauchi Research Centre and the unveiling of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
Ngwu stressed the legislative push for a 30 per cent Value Addition Bill, which mandates at least 30 per cent local processing of raw materials before export, awaiting National Assembly passage. He also noted the development of an Automated Leather Glazing Machine, the Onion Powder Processing Plant in Sokoto, and the Local Soap Noodles Production Plant, among others.
Ngwu concluded by stating that dismissing these accomplishments as 'underwhelming' was not only dishonest but also insulting to the many Nigerians benefiting from these forward-thinking policies and programmes. He urged newsmen and the public to rely on verifiable data rather than politically tainted assessments, asserting that Nnaji remains committed to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu and driving innovation-led economic growth, job creation, digital transformation, and sustainable development across Nigeria.