The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) has endorsed the first National Science, Technology and Innovation Communication Conference (STICOMMS '25).

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji expressed his Ministry's interest and endorsement describing it as a unique conference and first of its kind.

Chief Nnaji further assured the organizers – African University of Science and Technology (AUST) and partners led by the AUST President, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS and STICOMMS '25 local organizing committee (LOC), that the Ministry will collaborate with them to achieve the desired goals of the conference, adding that the conference is coming at the right time when the ministry is working tirelessly to promote Research and Innovation outputs from various research agencies.

The Minister also pledged to deploy two senior staff of the Ministry to join the LOC to ensure full representation of the Ministry in the planning and participation in the conference.

Earlier, the President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS who led the STICOMMS '25 LOC on a visit to the Honourable Minister, highlighted that the purpose of the visit was to seek the Ministry’s support for the forthcoming 1st National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation Communication (STICOMMS 2025), scheduled for October 21–23, 2025, at AUST.

During the engagement, the AUST President highlighted areas of collaboration, which includes: Endorsement of the conference by the Honourable Minister; Delivery of a Keynote Address at the opening session; nomination and sponsorship of Ministry staff, alongside showcasing selected innovations.

Others are: Mobilization of the Research Agencies under the Ministry to participate actively; and Featuring the Ministry’s profiles and achievements in the official conference programme.

No doubt, the visit opens a way forward to a fruitful partnership with the Ministry and its agencies in working together to advance the communication of science, technology, and innovation for national development.

Photo Caption: Secretary, STICOMMS, Mr. Bonny Alaneme, Chairman, Publicity Sub Committee, STICOMMS, Prince Obioha Atulomah; member LOC STICOMMS, Mr. Augustine Akubor; President, AUST, Prof Azikiwe Peter Onwualu; Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji; Chairman, STICOMMS, Dr. Bosco Okolo-Obi; Special Adviser to the minister, Dr. Robert Ngwu, and Member STICOMMS, Mr. Kingsley Madu in a group photograph shortly after the visit.