For too long a time, Nigeria has relied on its oil to boost its economy. Other key sectors like engineering, biotechnology, agriculture, and health are being invested in poorly. Much damage has been done to the science, technology, and innovation of Nigeria and appropriate measures must be put in place to address these issues.
While regarded as the Giant of Africa, the country is unable to lead in various technological fields including military technology in Africa, health technology, or any other sector. The good news though, is that there are the human and mental resources needed to bring a radical technological growth in the country. There are many young inventors that abound, hence the need for government to play its part.
Ways That Nigerian Government Can Support The Growth Of Technology
1. RE-ORIENTATION
The Nigerian government must first and foremost, change its mindset towards technology and cease to relegate it to the back bench. Technology should be given its due place in the forefront of the economy and recognized for what it’s worth. A lot of Nigerians have one innovative idea or the other but lack appropriate support. This leads to the use0 of these ideas for fraudulent schemes in a bid to just get a little cash.
The government needs to sit up and accept technology as the savior of our economy and indeed all other problems including corruption.
2. SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT
The average expenditure for research and development in the world is 0.4% of GDP, twice that of Nigeria. This speaks volumes as even ‘smaller’ African countries like Botswana boast of 0.5% of their GDP budgeted to research and development. In this time of rapid technological advancement, we are fast losing ground in agribusiness and indeed almost every other sector so it is only imperative for the government to invest more resources into this sector. There is also a need to attract foreign investors to the nation’s technology sector.
3. ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION
The Nigerian government needs to make conscious efforts to support the education of Engineers, Entrepreneurs, Scientists and the likes. Educational reforms should be launched nationally and should be aimed at this sector of research and development. Perhaps, a leaf could be borrowed from the United States in creating an Office of Entrepreneurship Education or an Office of Technology. This would be geared solely towards catering for the educational and informational needs os technology-inclined startups and ventures.
4. REVIEW OF ITS TAXATION AND CORPORATE LAWS
In India, startups are exempted for three years from income taxes. This gives room for the settling and expansion of a business without placing so much pressure on the Entrepreneur. Similar laws need to be implemented in Nigeria, instead of putting too much burden on their shoulders as it is presently obtained.
5. PARTNERSHIP
The privately owned research institutions are doing a good job of it. The government should seek for ways to leverage on the benefits that will arise from partnership ventures. These might include banks and other private and public enterprises and could be geared towards education, funding of researches or even building already researched technologies.
6. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
The epileptic supply of electricity in the nation is very discouraging. An average Nigerian doesn’t have access to constant basic electricity supply. How much more startups and technology inclined ones at that. This is a very limiting factor in Nigeria as only a few can afford the alternatives available for the provision of power. The government should seek ways to supply power constantly if not continuously.
7. INTERNET ACCESS
If technology must advance, then research is paramount. Research entails constant, cheap, reliable and easily accessible internet services. Compared to Western countries, Nigerians seem to be paying a whopping 200% extra for internet access. Yet, the speed and ease of accessing this high-cost data services are very poor. The government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should ensure that network providers give better internet access. Regulations should be put in place and ensured.
8. ICT HUBS
ICT hubs are geared towards driving and fostering ICT enhancement. It provides research and basic services for technology and business incubation. It is a place where technology-driven minds can gather to rub minds. The government should encourage more provisions of ICT hubs in the different states of the country.
9. IMMIGRATION POLICY
In different parts of the world, immigrants have helped improved/ shape the technology sector. This is one strategy adopted by tech capitals like the Canada Start-up Visa policy, which is aimed at solving problems locally and driving innovation and technology. The Nigerian government should scarp the unnecessary and cumbersome processes involved in obtaining immigrant permits. This would most likely encourage more immigrants to settle in the country for business.
A lot more could be added to this long list of advice to the Nigerian government but with these few points of mine, I hope I have been able to convince you that the government can and should do more for the growth of technology in Nigeria.
