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Science and Technology Innovation: What Hopes for the Nigerian Brain?
06.07.2007 at 03.17.14 hrs | 19 Comments | Back to Discussion Page
If you watch TV often, you probably have come across one or two documentaries where the guest for that episode would be a Nigerian, young or old, who would have invested his/her time on some research and ended up with a product that would be of direct benefit to society at a very small cost.
One of such programmes that registers in my memory till date is that of a young Nigerian man, a graduate of Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Akure - FUTA, who was featured on Funmi Iyanda\'s morning programme (New Dawn) on NTA Network sometime in mid or late 2006. His work was based on securing vehicles using old mobile phones (what many people dump as being out of fashion, some people even refer to them with names like \"My hand is paining me\" - say this in Yoruba). This young man (I can\'t remember his name - maybe Funmi can help with details) demonstrated his work and I was thoroughly impressed like I am sure many of you who watched it and who have a passion for Science and Technology must have been as well.
Going back in time, we find out that this young man is not the first (and I believe he would not be the last either) to have his work aired on TV or published in the newspapers, from young to old, degree holders to those posessing informal education, many people have made effort, but their efforts have not seen the light of day beyond the occassional publicity (even though the publicity is a right \"first\" step), which soon fades away due to lack of support e.t.c.
The argument above raises a few issues for me as regards sustaining innovation in our country, they include:
- How many of us - Nigerians - \"really\" know that this is not the only case of innovation and have details on efforts by other people? If we do have individual and group claims to innovations or know those who have, is there some sort of central source of information on the findings and works of such innovators for purposes of reference or otherwise?
- If there are central repositories for the works of these persons, what efforts are in place to ensure these repositories are available to the public and that these works see the light of day and eventually become commercially available?
- Who should be doing the funding for these innovations and to what extent should it be done? What about issues of ownership of the end-products?
- Are there any doubts to the credibility of claims made by such inventors? If so, what structures are in place that ensure claims comply with standards before they are made available to the public for use? Are these structures transparent, accessible and fair?
- What short and long-term benefits lay in investing on such innovations in the first place?
These are some of the issues I have identified as clogs in the wheel of advancing Science and Technology innovation in Nigeria. Your thoughts would be most welcome.
The following comments were posted.
Hassan on 04.04.2007 at 02.28.36 hrs
I think Institutions should be funded to sponsor their students in partnership with industry players who would benefi from the end-products. A law may help enforce this.
Arole on 04.04.2007 at 02.44.29 hrs
Well, in my opinion, beyond funding the institutions, how do we monitor the disbursements of the funds and ensure the products being funded are really worth the trouble? You\'ve raised a vital point for discussion. Let\'s see what other people have to say.
Qaasim on 04.04.2007 at 03.56.50 hrs
I THINK A LOT OF YOUTH HAVE LOST THE ORDER OF INNOVATION OR DEVELOPMENT.THE FIRST STEP IS IDEA,BUT MOST YOUTH BELIEVE THAT FINANCE IS THE FIRST.THIS AFFECTS OUR THINKING,ESPECIALLY IFONE IS FROM A POOR BACKGROUND.SO,THINK OH YOUTH TO GENERATE IDEAS,THEN WHENEVER MONEY COMES IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
Halimah on 04.04.2007 at 04.46.53 hrs
For me i think each person as well as the government as a lot to do in rehabilitaing the whole system and until each party devise a win-win and not a "i chop all" mentality, we will further progess in sustaing our innovations and ideas and also nurture them even till the very ripe stage.
Fola on 07.04.2007 at 10.38.56 hrs
Firstly, let us be informed that in most civilized societies, the government funds Science & Technology through the universities. It makes sense to do so because the government becomes the beneficiary of such inventions. Imagine if an individual had enough muscle/capital to fund nuclear weapons and become its beneficiary. You certainly do not want some inventions in the wrong hands. The government is the only responsible body that can be entrusted with such a task. The educational sector has experienced the worst form of neglect in recent years. Government funding will continue to elude the universities as long as the government does not recognize that the educational sector is the main driver towards any country attaining First world status.
qasim omotola on 10.04.2007 at 09.43.41 hrs
you are really doing a great job. i think courses like website design, programming and so on are supposed to be introduced into all courses taken in our institution of higher learnings as well as secondary schools so as to equip nigerians with the neccessary knowledge in order to face the challenges from the so-called developed worlds. we \'ve got to wake up from our slumber.
Muizz on 13.04.2007 at 07.07.13 hrs
Thanks Fola, that makes a lot of sense, I wish we could get the government to pay more attention to this responsibility. A note of correction here, the young chap I saw on TV was featured on AM Express and not New Dawn. Apologies tendered, the error is mine.
Femi Davies on 17.04.2007 at 01.24.14 hrs
It\'s very true that there is no structure on ground in Nigeria to encourage Science and Technology innovations or works. Little wonder the Nation is not growing as rapidly as expected. Moreover the condition in the country is also not helping matters for those trying to make things work by themselves (as support isn\'t forthcoming from the Government). Conditions like epileptic power-supply, water and basic amenities that can boost developments. How can an individuals survive such harsh conditions when even the mighty companies e.g Michelin are closing their factories in Nigeria due to this unfavourable condition. Well something needs to be done fast!!
salako taiye adedayo on 29.04.2007 at 08.59.10 hrs
Sorry, this comment has been removed by a Blog Administrator!
salako taiye on 29.04.2007 at 08.59.10 hrs
Sorry, this comment has been removed by a Blog Administrator!
Abidemi Bello on 30.04.2007 at 14.52.27 hrs
Maybe if we all stopped commenting on what this person did or what that person can do, we\'ll stop giving ourselves praise for what God has already given us and actually begin to develop Nigeria!
Abidemi Bello on 30.04.2007 at 14.55.57 hrs
Hey, by the way, great site and all. I wouldn\'t have expected any less else I wouldn\'t be commenting. But you have to do something about the timer settings. This ain\'t America man.
Guru on 07.05.2007 at 09.11.17 hrs
This is a good start and I commend all comments I have read, however, apart from funding, ownership and what have u, we still need to see to the natural talents, which have shown in different cases who have made landmark achievement. Bill Gate was a drop-out law student and has performed wonderfully well in computer industry. In essence, innovation is not all about \'pali\' certificate or paper work, it is all about what you can show!. The earlier we realise this the better. Government has a lot of role to play for they have to provide enabling environment or springboard for people that have stood out to actually deliver what they have. Good inspiration!
Prof Guru on 08.05.2007 at 01.08.30 hrs
Can you let us have opportunity of inviting our friends to this site? so that we can just type in thier email addresses. thanx.
Abdulfatah on 11.05.2007 at 04.45.07 hrs
In as much as Nigerian Universities and other tertiary institutions still operate with obsolete method of teaching, the hope of becoming a technological advance state will still remains a mirage. It is only in Nigeria that a graduate of Computer/Information science becomes irrelivant afer having completed his/her degree because of out of date curriculum being used in the school. How do we now become a technological advanced country with this? We can only develop technologically if the govenment move with time as it is beind done in advance world.
Dipo Tepede on 17.05.2007 at 07.01.34 hrs
What do we do? Should we analyse and paralyse or should we do something about it. What can we do? Any invention that is not tied to economic power is a waste of invention. There is another scenario of wrong environment; this is also vital. I remember myself very well as a victim of this write-up; creating a book and not getting the needed support. Funmi Iyanda supported me though with a 1 hour slot on her 2 hour Funmi Iyanda Show on Channel 10. It still did not see the day until I decided to take my destiny into my hands and my manual has become a best seller. Lets not look outward but look inward; there lies the greatest capabilities of our resource. Dipo Tepede www.dipotepede.com
Dr. Femi Ajayi on 23.05.2007 at 10.30.29 hrs
Your concern is as good as having farm products that could not reach the village due to poor transportation. The government has a lot to do in this respect. Nigeria is blessed with talents. The fact that the Igbos prosecuted the civil war with so many home-made equipments, and nothing was adequately put in place to help them out, is a testimony to the failure of the past Nigerian government to tap the talents of most Nigerians. That is more reason the Igbos are good in fake drugs, materials etc, trailing after Asia. Could you imagine someone that never been to school, in Bauchi State, I believe, assembling a moving vehicle and utilizing solar energy. God bless.
kk on 26.05.2007 at 06.02.40 hrs
i think private sector participation would go along in helping to solve some of these problems since the govt alone cannot handle it
Ceejay on 27.05.2007 at 13.29.54 hrs
The surest path I know to greatness in life is through intellectual prowess and technical proficiency. It\'s however highly discouraging, the indifferent attitude of our government towards funding the sector-Education. You see, according to Ibn Abayomi, great nations emanate from great minds and nothing makes the mind great than intellect. Japanese invested in this very sector and can favourably do better economically without the black gold! Finally, eliminating poverty will really go along way to assist in this regards. Cheers to you guys as i share in your lofty dreams and ideas.