The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Barr. Kingsley Udeh, led the leadership of some Agencies under the Ministry on a courtesy visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explore how science and technology can support the Commission’s operations.
Barr. Udeh stated that the engagement forms part of deliberate effort to connect agencies under the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, FMIST, with key national institutions whose operations can benefit from research, data, and home-grown technological solutions.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the Ministry’s agencies and INEC would open new pathways for the practical use of science and technology in strengthening institutional efficiency and service delivery.
During the engagement, the Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju highlighted the strategic role of geospatial technologies in electoral planning.
He said that NASRDA’s capabilities in geomapping and geofencing can assist in accurate mapping of polling units and management of spatial data required for effective coordination of electoral activities nationwide.
He explained that geospatial insights can assist INEC in assessing locations more accurately, organising logistics routes, and gaining a clearer understanding of operational environments ahead of elections, thereby improving planning and enabling more effective deployment during elections.
In another development, the Honourable Minister also led the team on a strategic visit to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd).
During strategic engagement, the DG NASRDA, emphasised the importance of geospatial intelligence and satellite-derived data in strengthening surveillance planning, terrain analysis, and other security-related operations.
The engagement also examined opportunities for stronger collaboration in areas such as specialised training, data sharing, digital field systems, and the local fabrication of equipment required for operational activities, as part of ongoing efforts to position science and technology institutions as key contributors to national security and development in line the the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the Honourable Minister’s team, along with the DG NASRDA are the Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Jummai Adamu and Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi.
Below are pictures from both visits.
Reporter: Alexandra Oladipo
Editor: Ninma Yacim
Media and Corporate Communications
