FIIRO tasks entrepreneurs on innovation

The Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Prof Gloria Elemo, has urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to be innovative in order to make their products and services acceptable by consumers.

Speaking at an investment progamme organised by Business Club Ikeja (BCI), in Lagos, recently, she noted that the power of innovation by every entrepreneur cannot be over-emphasized.

Represented by Head, Techno Entrepreneurship-Techno Economics, FIIRO, Mrs Karimu Funmilayo, she added that innovation will make consumers prefer particular products to others. According to her, you must make your products different from the others.

Themed, Investment opportunities available at FIIRO, she also argued that “entrepreneurship can drive Nigeria’s economy to the highest level that we can’t even imagine. When we have youths trained in entrepreneurship they can be self reliant. They can set up their own factories and be their own bosses. Gone are the days when youths graduate from school and find readymade jobs waiting for them”.

She added that the Institute also collaborated and signed MOU with institutions of higher learning like FUTA.

“We also have a programme called Catch Them Young where we go to Nursery and primary schools teaching the children about entrepreneurship.

“Presently, we also have a programme called, FIIRO House, where we bring youths together in a house like Big Brother Africa, and train them on entrepreneurship. Three winners would eventually emerge and the first winner will win N35 million, second winner, N15 million and third winner N10 million”, she added.

In an interview, President BCI, Adeleke Odude, stated that the various research institutions have not been making their impact felt by the public, and Business Club Ikeja felt it is our responsibility to draw the institute closer to the people so that the members will be familiar with the Business opportunities at FIIRO. Our expectation after the programme is that we believe our members will explore the opportunities they have learnt.