Peeping at the Technology and
Innovation Expo 2017 in Abuja
In Nigeria, the clamor of Science,
Technology and Innovation resonating our daily lives becomes a testimony of
government seriousness to move the nation forward technologically. Last week, 12th
April 2017, I presented a lecture titled “The impacts of Science, Technology
and Innovation: Agricultural Extension” at National Institute for Policy
Strategy Studies, Kuru before the participants of Senior Executive Course
number 39. Other Lectures presented by distinguished scholars and important
personalities at this prestigious Institute bore the magic words “Science,
Technology and Innovation”. These are clear indication that government is
unearthing the reasons for the nation backwardness in technological
breakthroughs. In the same vein, the way forward for achieving technological
advancement could as well be identified. This is why the famous “National Science and Technology Week
(NASTECH)”, a statutory annual event was changed to Technology and Innovation
Expo 2017” to be inline with government policy and direction for achieving milestone
in science and technology. Right from inception in 1987, NASTECH was aimed at
creating awareness in Science and Technology and showcasing achievements in the
sector. Thus, the Expo 2017, in addition to awareness creation, it was designed
to bring out achievements in science and technology, encourages indigenous
innovations and technology, promotes Research and Development (R&D) as well
as build partnership between Research institutions and investors. Specifically,
The Expo has seven objectives as stated in the program:
1. Promotion of Research and Development
(R&D) activities;
2. Commercialization of R&D
results/inventions and innovations;
3. Encouraging Nigerians to take up science
professions;
4. Showcasing to the public, potentials of
R&D institutions;
5. Building of partnerships between
Researchers and Investors;
6. Encouraging and promoting creation of
innovative enterprises utilizing Nigeria’s indigenous knowledge and Technology to
produce marketable goods and services;
7. Promotion of R & D/ Industry Linkages
as well as encouraging net workings amongst Researchers and Investors.
The 5 days event was held at the Eagles
Square, Abuja between 3rd and 7th April 2017.
The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) and the private
sector were the organizers of the first innovation and technology Expo.
No
doubt, the EXPO 2017 became a platform for solid foundation to build a vibrant
economy; all-inclusive while Promoting Innovation and technology-led
Industries. It is one of the strategic pillars of the Economic Recovery and Growth
Plan 2017 – 2020, which was launched by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari
on Wednesday 5th April 2017 at the State House, Abuja
The Expo served as an
avenue to showcase recent developments in Research and Development efforts from
the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, it’s multiple Agencies, other
MDAs, Higher Educational Institutions and Organized Private Sector. It also
facilitated the interface with Development Partners while Exhibitors showcased
their latest inventions/innovations thereby displaying their capabilities and
potentials to attract collaborators and partners.
A wide variety of innovative products were on display at this
gathering of who is who in Science and Technology in Nigeria. An estimated
over 500 innovative products were displayed from the over one hundred
exhibitors from Academia, research centres, industries and private individuals.
The exhibitions were outstanding and stupendous
ranging from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (aka Drone) made by the Nigeria Air Force;
to the miniature “first in the world” wooden car made by a Furniture Maker with
no formal technical education whose only motivation was inquisitiveness. The
exhibitors cut across ages and educational strata ranging from Primary and
Secondary school students who “likes to research things”; to Professors. An
example was the SS2 Students from Regina Pacis School, Abuja who invented environmentally
friendly, sustainable, fuel-free Magnetic generator and Dynamo Generator
prototypes – with potential to address solve the perennial power-outage bedeviling
the Nigerians nationwide. Similarly, there were innovative geniuses like
Adedola and Abdulbaseet, SS1 Students of Anchor Sprigfield School, Ota, Ogun
State who invented a GSM-controlled electronic circuit with capability to
protect appliances from power surges and could allow the owner to switch off his
or her electronic appliances at home from any location in respective of
distance. This is quite unbelievable!
The
event was simply a success galore that made one of the organizers, Mohammed
Attah the National Coordinator of the Civil Society Organization Coalition for
Made-in-Nigeria products to react as reported by NewsDiary, an online newspaper,
quoting him saying “There must be priority given to supporting the innovators
and exhibitors by providing them with a visible online presence to attract
investors and potential customers globally. In addition, future exhibitions
should be massively publicized to get more international participants to
patronize the innovators and exhibitors.”
The thinking of the Federal government on the Expo 2017 is
reflected from the statement of Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.
Ogbonnaya Onu who was quoted saying “the determination by the government to
rebuild a Nigeria that all can be proud of cannot be actualized without
deploying science and technology to move the country to a path of sufficiency
and prosperity”. He further assured the participants that his ministry would
not rest until science; technology and innovation become the driving force in Nigeria’s
effort to diversify her economy in order to stimulate sustainable development.
ThisDay, one of the Nigerian dailies quoted the minister saying “I commend the
participants at this expo for showing the Nigerian spirit in them. Our hearts
will never depart you because you are the future of Nigeria. We shall follow up
on your inventions and mobilize the organized private sector to
work together with you in the pursuit of the commercialization and your
inventions. The challenge we face is to rebuild our nation and move her along
the path of self-sufficiency, prosperity, and international respect. I am
confident that we have taken the right steps in our journey to greatness. What
is required is for us to build on our achievements so far and remain determined
and focused in our collective desire to build a modern Nigeria where science,
technology and innovation will be the engine for economic growth and
development.“
The five days program ended on Friday,
7th April 2017 with prizes won by 12 individual participants and
organizations. There were in four categories of prizes. The first category is the
prize for Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS), the second for Technology
Entrepreneurs, the third for Research Institutions and fourth for Tertiary
Educational Institutions. The assessment team was generally impressed with the
quality of works achieved in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector in
the country. It was stressed that, if these scientists, engineers and artists were
nurtured and supported, they could resolve the challenges of over-dependence on
imported products and services as well as infrastructural problems confronting the
country. These challenges confronting the nation’s economy addressed by the exhibited
projects crisscrossed all developmental sectors; food and agriculture;
education; health; security and defense; ICT and social media; power and
energy; transportation; housing; manufacturing; software development;
elections; values and national re-orientation. Looking at the report of the
assessment team led by the former Director-General of Raw Materials Research
and Development Council (RMRDC), Engineer Prof. Peter Onwualu, showed that at
least 165 individuals and organizations participated and exhibited no fewer than
578 projects at the event.
There are many lessons that could be
learnt from the concluded Expo 2017. It was very clear from
the event that a missing link between the prototypes developed by the
“Engineers and Scientists” and the investors existed. Either, the developers
should mass-produce their inventions or the investors should come on board to
help mass produce such inventions. In each case, financial support is highly
desirable. The Federal Government can play an active role by improving access
to finance for these innovative entrepreneurs as well as provide fiscal
incentives for private investment in Research and Development to catapult the
massive potential of Made-in-Nigeria products to the global market. What are
the other lessons? Who were the 12 prizewinners? And what are the challenges of
science, technology and innovations in Nigeria? (To be continued next week)
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