The Director General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Obi Peter Adigwe, said the federal government’s intervention through the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) would boost job creation in the sector.
Daily Trust reports that the PSE is a program designed by the federal government to help the country overcome the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adige, who was speaking during a visit to the institute by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said the N4 billion intervention granted for the purchase of high-tech equipment would improve Nigeria’s efforts to fight the virus.
“The intervention will not only improve access to healthcare, but will also boost socio-economic development like job creation, capacity building and income generation.”
He said the intervention had led to the training of thousands of herbalists, and the move would help them preserve and scientifically document the knowledge needed to validate their products.
He added that the interventions would see his Nanotechnology Center, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab upgraded and designed to boost job creation for millions of Nigerians.
Earlier, Prince Agba said the more than 90 pieces of equipment purchased for the institute would help sequence virus variants.
“Thus, the PES was designed to strengthen the resilience of our health sector. I am happy that the money is being used for the purpose for which it is intended,” the minister said.
