View source for Sheda Science and Technology Complex

{{Short description|Nigerian Government Agency}}
{{coord|8.856889|7.044046|display=title}}
The '''Sheda Science and Technology Complex''' (SHESTCO) is a parastatal under the [[Nigerian Ministry of Science & Technology]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.fmst.gov.ng/parastatals.php
 |title=Parastatals
 |publisher=Federal Ministry of Science & Technology
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>
It is a multidisciplinary research and development establishment located in [[Kwali Area Council]] about 70&nbsp;km from [[Abuja]], [[Nigeria]].<ref name=self>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.shestco.org
 |title=Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO)
 |publisher=Sheda Science and Technology Complex
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>

SHESTCO was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1993.
The complex has five (5) well-equipped advanced research centres; Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and a Nuclear Technology Centre with a gamma irradiation plant. 
SHESTCO houses and collaborates with the Nigerian branch of the American-based company Xechem Pharmaceuticals.<ref name=self/>
The agency may have developed a commercially viable product with NICOSAN, for the management of Sickle cell anemia.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://sites.ias.edu/sig/system/files/pdfs/Isoun.pdf
 |title=BUILDING SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY AND EXPANDING RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH REGIONAL LINKAGES IN AFRICA: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA PERSPECTIVE
 |author=Prof Turner T Isoun, CFR
 |publisher=FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>
Xechem Pharmaceuticals Nigeria is assisting in research, production, marketing and sales of NICOSAN, and is planning to further explore the biodiversity of Nigeria and other African Countries for natural drugs to combat malaria, cancer and other diseases.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://nicosan4all.org/aboutxechemnigeria.htm
 |title=About Xechem Nigeria
 |publisher=Xechem Nigeria
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>

Although Nigeria does not yet have any commercial production of biotechnology crops, SHESTCO has the capacity to conduct and apply biotechnology research.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200508/146130522.pdf
 |title=Nigeria: Biotechnology Agricultural Biotechnology Report 2005
 |author=Michael David
 |publisher=USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>
In February 2009 [[IBM]] stated they had plans to build a production plant for computer software and hardware in Nigeria. SHESTCO was directed to provide necessary facilities.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200902161279.html
 |title=IBM to Set Up Computer Plant in Country
 |work=Daily Trust
 |author=Hamisu Muhammad
 |date=16 February 2009
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>
At a scientific roundtable organized by SHESTCO in August 2010, Education Minister [[Rukayyatu Ahmed-Rufai]] said Nigeria had to  invest in Research and Development (R&D) to narrow the gap with the developed countries. The Director General of SHESTCO, Sunday Thomas, expressed his concern about the decreasing funding for R&D in Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201009010526.html
 |title=Vision 2020 Doubtful Without Investment in Research, Minister Says
 |work=Daily Trust
 |author=Zakariyya Adaramola
 |date=1 September 2010
 |accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{Official|http://www.shestco.gov.ng}}

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[[Category:Research institutes in Nigeria]]