Nigeria
as an independent nation elatedly clocked 58 penultimate week. The anniversary
reportedly attracted countless accolades from her teeming fans across the
globe.
At
such a critical cum joyous moment, any rational individual or entity who thinks
well of Nigeria is required to cross-examine the country towards ascertaining
how far she has fared so far in many areas of human endeavour.
I
have chosen to emphatically lay emphasis on the country’s technology sector,
which is borne out of my quest to see a Nigeria where the citizenry wouldn’t
depend on foreign products or services as they struggle for survival and
greatness.
The
current blurry outlook of Nigeria’s tech sector doesn’t need flurry of
activity, but holistic, from those who have been delegated to salvage it, or
sieve the flour, if we must get it right. It’s on this premise I thought it
wise to painstakingly observe and study the area in question.
It’s quite appalling – to assert the
least – that at this age, our education sector as regards science and
technology is still operating in the past. On a regular basis, countless of our
engineering graduates could hardly design a device related to their field of study
let alone constructing it.
The
aforementioned educational lapse is not unconnected with the dilapidated
learning environment found in our various higher institutions. These citadels
can hardly boast of standard laboratories and workshops needed to inculcate the
required technical skills into the students’ minds.
Pathetically,
a few of the graduates who were privileged to acquire the necessary skills,
perhaps owing to their individual talents, had been compelled to leave the
country for elsewhere in search of a better accommodating environment suitable
for their quest. This irritating condition has continued unabated that it’s
seriously telling on the system.
The
ongoing lack of adequate facilities invariably witnessed in our schools is the
reason many have overtime been forced to patronize foreign education, hence
posing severe threat to the economy of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
Aside learning, the universities aren’t doing
enough regarding research works. Basically, they were not to function as
institutions meant solely for imparting knowledge, but equally a place where
people or corporate bodies can seek services on all forms of research.
It’s bad that these citadels are not
duly funded by the respective governments to enable them commercialize their
patents. It’s noteworthy that every technological invention is directly
dependent on a certain research activity.
The health angle isn’t left out while
dissecting the lingering ugly physiognomy of the Nigeria’s technology at large.
Nigerians quickly rush abroad when suffering from an ailment that ordinarily
could easily be taken care of here, probably as a result of the unfriendly outlook
of both private and public hospitals cum health centres domiciled across the
country.
We
have well-tested health/medical experts but occurrence of uncalled environment
deprives them the opportunity to practise favourably. This particular menace has
also resulted in colossal brain drain, thereby making our tech sector cry
woefully.
In the area of agriculture, the story isn’t
different. The government has continually clamoured for improved farming activity,
still the country dwells on crude system of cultivation and harvest. It’s not
anymore news that the Nigerian State is yet to get it right when it calls for
mechanized farming despite the apparent willingness.
What
about the manufacturing sector? It would candidly be an understatement if one
opines that this area is really frowning at us. In spite of the outpouring
promises coupled with seeming frantic effort to uplift it, the stakeholders
involved are still seemingly marred by apathy. All our various ancient
production firms have virtually gone into moribund, and till date, nothing
tangible has been done to revive them.
As we collectively celebrate Nigeria in her 58th
birthday anniversary, it would be nice, wise and caring of us to as well urge
her to embrace a sober reflection with a view to bringing a turnaround in the
country’s system, particularly the tech sector.
It’s pertinent to acknowledge that to address
a certain existing anomaly, you must be ready to fish out its rudimentary
attributes or fundamental causes. This is the only way such plight could be
tactically tackled.
The truth is that we have in recent
times neglected as well as abused our technical value as a people. We need to
revisit the said value towards making amends. The governments at all levels
must take drastic action to resuscitate our numerous technical colleges.
There’s a compelling need to inject more life into these institutions, which
bear the foundation of the nation’s tech sector.
We
ought to equally reawake the essence of the ongoing Students Industrial Work
Experience Scheme (SIWES) being participated by the science-oriented learners
in our various universities and polytechnics. Similarly, the engineering
students should be meant to undergo a one-year compulsory training section,
which ought to serve as a prerequisite to the national youth service, just as
it’s done by the medical cum pharmaceutical students.
Inter alia,
we need to in earnest rejig the country’s extant policies toward suiting the
political will worn by the current government that’s ostensibly trying to end
the mono-economy era. For instance, the desire to revive the country’s
downstream sector in the petroleum industry requires a viable and strict
policy.
It’s disheartening that 58 years
after, Nigeria isn’t yet self-reliant, technology wise, hence the need not to
rebuff the above candid suggestions. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, writes via
Twitter:
@mediambassador
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