Manpower development, capacity building, learning and research endeavours in Science and Technology received a major boost with the grant of US$180 million by the World Bank.

At a sensitisation workshop which began in Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) for the World Bank Science and Technology Education Post Basic Project (STEP-B), Mrs. Oluwaseyi Agunbiade, Head Monitoring and Operation Unit, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, said beneficiaries of the grant are limited to federal educational institutions. These are federal senior secondary schools, federal universities, federal polytechnics and monotechnics, federal colleges of education and federal research institutes. State and private tertiary institutions are not allowed to access the grant.

She said that in order to fast track the industrialization of Nigeria as regards Vision 2020, the Federal government, determined to realise the dream, went into collaboration with the World bank to secure the grant.

"No nation can develop without developing science and technology. So in dong this, the World Bank has granted Nigeria $180 million to be utilized within four years with two years already gone. The vision and impact will be to strengthen science and technology, strengthening of basic institutions to develop science and technology and enhance human development."

According to her, science and technology are some of the factors to stimulate economic growth, curb poverty, facilitating of growth, wealth and health, attaining the Millennium Development Goals and application of knowledge to solve problems.

Professor Isaac A. Adeyemi, National President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and Vice chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, who addressed the sensitisation workshop, noted the essence of World Bank Step B project to the Nigerian masses aimed at improving teaching and learning in science and technology in the country, enhance skill development of staff, students and industrialists.

"We are ready to ensure effective utilisation of the fund, purchase of sound equipment and implementation of all modules necessary for upgrading of FIIRO pilot plants and laboratory and to help source for qualified food professionals to achieve the dreams of World Bank Step B. "He called for proper proejct writing.

Director-General, FIIRO, Dr. Oluwole Olatunji, said the mission of the institute is to accelerate the industrial development of Nigeria, through research. He expressed readiness of FIIRO to take advantage of the grant which it can access through presentation of solid research proposals for industrial production.

Mrs. Agunbiade disclosed that only $22 million had been disbursed so far out of the $180 million, and called for submissions of proposals for research works that can translate into production of goods for the market.

"STEP B is demand driven, bottom up, create linkage between knowledge and private industry, bringing knowledge and industry together. Tell us what you can do better within your mandate. All projects are proposal driven, and also impact driven."

Mr. Andrew S. Yohanna, Head Procurement STEP B, explained the process, guidelines, criteria and bidding procedures based on economy, transparency and efficiency in the purchase of equipment for the project.