Prof. Jeffery Barminas, the director-general, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), says the institute aims to blaze the trail in science technology innovation by 2025.

Mr Barminas said this to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, following NARICT’s emergence as 2nd position at the just-concluded 2024 Technology Expo.

NARICT is the nation’s chemical technology research institute, with a mandate to develop its abundant natural resources to useful industrial applications

According to Mr Barminas, by the next EXPO 2025, NARICT will expectedly lead the pack in the provision of innovative projects to the nation.

“Researchers and support staff are poised to deliver excellently on the mandate of the institute.

“The institute was awarded the prize for the 2nd position at the Technology Expo based on its innovative research on adhesive production technology.

“The project harnesses natural rubber latex to produce adhesives for use in the leather, wood, paper, foam, footwear, upholstery, textiles industries and others.

“A huge amount of foreign exchange is spent yearly on the import of adhesives, according to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council,” he said.

The director-general said that from 2018, Nigeria imported adhesives worth $13.291 million, accounting for 0.02 per cent of total imports.

Mr Barminas commended efforts by the ministry of science, technology and innovation in organising the expo.

He pledged to drive further innovative research and development to harness resources while creating opportunities, to pave the way for Nigeria’s growth and industrialisation.

According to him, such research focus will include the precipitated calcium carbonate project, salt utilisation project and expansion of the neem-based minero organic fertiliser project to avail more farmers of the product.

He explained that the Innovative Research Products and Projects would help to fast track the nation’s economy and create jobs while harnessing resources.

(NAN)