To harness technological innovations for sustainable growth, experts have stressed the need for government and private sector to invest in Research and Development (R&D).
This, according to them, was because investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) is essential for economic growth, social progress and plays vital roles in wealth and transformation in any society.
The experts, who spoke at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Alumni Association biennial lecture, also stressed the need for companies in Nigeria to improve their investment and involvement in research and development so as to drive industrial growth.
They urged the Federal Government to focus on reintegrating brilliant Nigerians from diverse sectors into the universities’ research and development ecosystem.
At the event held in Lagos, the Vice-Chancellor, FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Oti, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research, Development and Innovation, FUTO, Prof. Emeka Oguzie, said the theme of the event, which was “Nigeria’s quest for development: The technological fast-tracking”, was apt to address Nigeria’s economic and technological issues for the survival and progress.
According to her, “I have no doubt that these topics were carefully chosen as part of the efforts by every concerned citizen of Nigeria to contribute towards rescuing Nigeria from the present economic and technological quagmire we found ourselves in.
“Consequently, I pray the outcome of this biennial lecture will be utilised by the appropriate authorities to launch Nigeria into the technologically and economically developed committee of nations.”
In his keynote address, the Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe, explained that it would be a big mistake not to select lecturers and researchers from people with the best talents to teach science and technology.
“Nigeria needs to embrace competence rather than quota system no matter where you come from. If you want to do science and technology, you choose the best brain and mind and they will come out with the best result you need,” he said.
He said he believes that every part of Nigeria has qualified people, but “unfortunately each time we are employing, we do not consider thorough processes to get the best of Nigerians, instead we pick our relatives and friends”.
“What this does is that at the end of the day, the nation does not get the best people who will produce the best result. This lack of thorough process to get the best qualified people has held this country down and we need to address it,” he said.
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Delivering a lecture titled, “Harnessing technological innovations for sustainable development In Nigeria’, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research, Development and Innovation, FUTO, Professor Emeka Oguzie, acknowledged that the current university ecosystem design cannot give the nation the desires in harnessing the benefit of science and technology.
According to him, there was a need to mobilise experts on technology and innovation for sustainable development that would facilitate interaction and networking between government officials, innovators, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
He also said there was a need for R&D manpower reforms that focus on reintegrating brilliant Nigerians from diverse, adding that present government policy does not allow them to bring technocrats on part-time bases now.
In his own remarks, Deus Uche Osuji, Chairman Planning Committee, said he is happy with the consciousness, engagement and discussions that the biennial lecture has triggered, “especially its unanimous call to shun mediocrity, raise and deploy body of competent Nigerians to drive our technological drive”.
Expressing optimism, he said that “this will be taken further as we strive to put a hold on many of our national woes leveraging technological innovations”.
“Listening to our guest lecturer, and panelist, and examining the depth of discussions, cause analysis and recommendations, I could not be more fulfilled at the success of the Biennial lecture”, enthused Mr. Osuji.
Mr. Ikye Anyanwu, the Chairman of the Publicity and Media sub-committee of the lecture noted that, “the alumni remain committed to support FUTO both individually and collectively. “
“This is easier and more effective using a framework aligned with the school and coordinated by the national president,” Anyanwu.
