Onu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja, when the Executive Director, African Institute of South African Human Research Council, Prof. Cheryl Hendricks visited him in his office.
He said that Nigeria and South Africa had critical roles to play in developing Africa through science and technology.
According to Onu, no country makes meaningful development unless there is appropriate utilisation of science and technology to address multi-dimensional problems affecting the society.
The minister emphasised that a combination of different branches of science was essential in combating threats to peace and unity of a country.
“The ministry is working hard to integrate all forms of knowledge, whether in natural sciences, management sciences, humanities, social sciences to address some of the socio- economic challenges confronting the country.
“We require a combination of different branches of science to tackle the multi-dimensional problems.
“No nation has developed without science and technology.
“Our demography in Nigeria is made of young people, So, we need to prepare for the future.
“In a few years, we will be hitting 81 billion people, how do we educate them as well as provide healthcare services.
“So the preparation must start now.
“This is why the ministry is taking the lead in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to move Nigeria away from commodity resources to knowledge based economy.
“To build a knowledge-based society to convert abundant natural resources to goods and services.
“This will help us to create jobs, wealth and reduce poverty.
“With the abundant resources, no Nigerian shall be confronted with extreme poverty,’’ Onu said.
Earlier, Hendricks said that her visit was to seek collaboration with the ministry on ways to deploy appropriate technologies in resolving conflicts in Africa.