House Committee Threatens Minister Udeh Over Hearing Absence

The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology has expressed its dissatisfaction with the absence of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, and the ministry's Permanent Secretary at a public hearing regarding a bill aimed at establishing a National Research and Innovation Development Fund. The committee, chaired by Zakariya Zannah (Rep, Machina Nguruyusuf-Ar/Marasov), warned that their absence could hinder the bill's passage and efforts to secure research grants from international partners.

Ahmed Jaha, a committee member, criticized the ministry's failure to participate, labeling it as sabotage against the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The proposed fund aims to create a financing framework for research institutions in Nigeria, which Jaha noted is long overdue.

The committee had invited several ministers to contribute to the discussion, but none attended, raising concerns about the commitment of the executive to the legislative process.