To build and establish a Science and Technology Park and Science Museum at Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (FMSTI) has signed a contract with Across Atlantic Development (AAD), a corporation which headquarters is situated in the United Kingdom.
The synergy is based on the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) initiative, with AAD committing to provide the necessary funding for the creation of the SHESTCO Science and Technology Park.
Sen. Adeleke Mamora, Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, stated during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja, that the ministry had wanted to promote and establish scientific and technology parks in Nigeria since 2006.
He stated that state governments, academic institutions, the commercial sector, and other organizations interested in developing science and technology parks would be able to replicate the SHESTCO Science and Technology Park. He gave stakeholders clear instructions on what steps to take to integrate STI into the national development agenda in order to achieve the desired results.
Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, Director-General of SHESTCO, said earlier in his welcome speech that SHESTCO had provided a solid scientific foundation for the launch of the park. He emphasized that in order to accomplish the desired result of spawning knowledge-based firms, a Science and Technology Park of this size is expected to comprise of supporting infrastructure for its construction and development.
Dr. David Apollos, the CEO of AAD, revealed that the science park is a multi-million dollar project that will advance the nation through STI. He stated that the initiative has received 90 per cent of the funding, with the EU contributing more than 70 per cent of the funds.
