Transcript Current Status in Nigeria

Science, Technology and Innovation
Systems – Current Status in Nigeria
Dr. E.M. Okonkwo
(Director General, NARICT, FMST, Nigeria)
Dr. Alex U. Akpa
(Director, Medical Biotechnology, FMST, Nigeria)
Introduction
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With a land area of about 923,768 km², Nigeria
is one of the largest countries in Africa
Population over 140 million largest black nation
in the world
Agriculture provides employment for most of
the population (oil and gas)
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Democratic system with three tires of
government:
Central or federal government
State governments
Local governments
Nigeria is a federation of 36 states with three
seats of government located in the central city
Abuja. 765 Local government areas apply.
The Nigerian Economy
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1.2.1 before independence in 1960, agriculture
played a dominant role in the overall economy
of Nigeria- contributing significantly to both the
Gross Domestic Product and Total Value of
Export. The bulk of revenue accruing to the
government at the time was derived form the
agricultural sector, which contributed 45% of
total export. During the decade 1960 – 1970,
the growth rate of agriculture was comparable
to that of population of about 3%. By 1965,
agriculture accounted for 50% of the GDP and
45% of export. During the decade of the 70s
agriculture’s contribution to the GDP has gone
down to about 30% while contribution to export
was under 10%. Petroleum exports assumed a
dominant role as an export commodity. It
comprised 58% of all export in 1970, 96%,
97% and 95% in 1980, 1990, and 1999
respectively.
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1.2.2 However, the oil glut and the consequent
drop in the price of petro-products in the early
1980s (1982 to 1986) reduced foreign
exchange earnings and necessitated efforts
towards the revival and revitalization of the
other sectors of the economy, and in particular,
agriculture.
The manufacturing Sector
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1980-1985 during the pre-structural
adjustment period the manufacturing sector
experienced a downward trend. The average
capacity utilization was in the order of 44%.
1986-1993 corresponding the structural
adjustment period (SAP) the index rose from
75 to 182.7 while capacity utilization was an
average of 40.8%.
1993-1998 post SAP period, manufacturing
index fell from 185 to 133, utilization of 32%.
Impact on the lives of common people
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Per capita income falling significantly to about
US$300 between 1990-2000 (SSA average was
US$450)
90 million Nigerian of the 133 million then were
in absolute poverty, less then one dollar a day
Presently, per capita income is US$1050
Needs
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Government reforms from 1999 to present
With the return of democratic governance in 1999 a
series of reforms were embedded upon under the
National Economic Government and Development
strategy in consonance with the MDGs from the UN
Under this strategy less emphasis was paid on
oil and gas as the national economy
Non-oil sector (agriculture, solid minerals,
telecommunication, FDI, ETC) gained more
prominence
The Science, Technology and
Innovation Policies in Nigeria
The ministry of Science and Technology was
scrapped and recreated several times under the
long period of military rule.
In 1999 the FMST has witnessed more stability.
Since then many STI policies have Been put in
place; the more prominent ones include:
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4.1.3 The recent emergence of more science
and technology draft policies is based on the
premise that there is the desire need for
appropriate technologies that Nigeria through
and beyond will propel the 21st century. The
policies are designed to underpin the nation’s
socio-economic progress taking into account
domestic productions in agriculture and rural
development, industrial and health sectors
4.1.4. The policies prescribe the use of science
in integrating indigenous knowledge into
development initiatives and popularizing of
science and technology for growth and
development
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4.1.5 At present there are about twelve policy
documents on Science and Technology in
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
While some of the policies are draft policies still
undergoing scrutiny, some have been given
Federal Executive Council’s approval. Such will
be presented to the legislature for legitimization
through the enactment of relevant Bills.
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4.1.6 the draft policies are:
Policy on Linkage of the Federal Ministry of
Science and Technology Universities, National
and International research Institutes.
Policy on Human Capacity Building of
Nigerians in, and Transfer of Technology by
Multinational Companies
Policy on Cooperation of Federal Government
Ministries and Federal Ministry of Science and
Technology based Capital Projects at Federal,
State and Local Government levels.
Policy on Appropriate Technologies for
Empowering Small and Medium-Scale
Enterprises (SMEs)
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Policy
Policy
Policy
Policy
on
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on
on
Engineering Materials Development
Science and Technology Data Bank
Intellectual Property Rights
Energy Research and Development
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4.1.7
Policy on Biotechnology
Policy on Space Research
Policy on Information technology
Presidential Council on Science and
Technology (PCST)
Policy on Biotechnology
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4.2.1.1 Policy Proposals: National
Biotechnology Policy was articulated to facilitate
advancement in Biotechnology. The policy
mission is that Nigeria shall “as a matter of
priority, initiate appropriate steps to explore the
use of Biotechnology for the benefit of
Nigerians and thus ensure that Nigeria becomes
one of the international leaders in
Biotechnology”. This should be pursued through
the provision of an enabling environment that
responds to the needs of biotech industry, the
R&D communities and the relevant national and
international concerns.
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4.2.1.2 The policy prescribes the establishment
of a National Agency which should have the
responsibility to coordinate biotechnology
research and development. A Minister’s Council
shall be set up to be responsible for the
activities of the Agency. A National technical
Committee shall be set up to serve as a body of
experts to advise the Ministers Council.
Policy on Space Research
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4.2.2.1 Policy Proposals: the policy on Space
Research aims at ensuring that Nigeria vigorously
pursues the attainment of Space Capabilities as an
essential tool for its socio-economic development
and the enhancement of the quality of life for its
people.
4.2.2.2 Organization/Institution set up and its
Mandate: National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) has been established. It became
operational with a Decree on National Science and
Technology ACT, 1980; National Space Research and
Development Agency Order 1999. NASRDA is to
coordinate various programmes for the attainment
of the national space capability.
Policy on Information Technology
4.2.3.1 Policy proposals: NITDA is to make Nigerian
and IT capable country in Africa and key player in
the information society by the year 2005 using IT as
the engine for sustainable development and global
competitiveness as well as for wealth creation and
poverty eradication. NITDA is to implement the IT
policy, regulate, monitor, evaluate and verify
progress on an on-going basis under the supervision
and coordination of its parent ministry – Federal
Ministry of Science and Technology.
The National Information Technology Development
Agency (NITDA) has also been created to implement
the IT policy
Presidential council on Science and
technology
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4.2.4.1 Policy Proposal: this council meets at
least three times a year under the
chairmanship of Professor Hassan, the
President of the Third World Academy of
Science (TWAS) to evaluate/ the
implementation of the various S&T policies and
advice the president. The Council which is hired
by Professor Hassan, is made up of four
international Science & Technology experts; the
honorable minister of S&T, the permanent
secretary, all directors of the Ministry and the
Director General of the various agencies.
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Despite the fact that the nation now has place
well articulated S&T policies and very critical
areas, full benefits have not been derived from
these efforts de mainly to the shear absence of
a strong innovation component in the policies;
the innovation component was not clearly
defined.
As we all know, innovation is often confused
with research and measured in the terms of
scientific or technological outputs. What we
have all learnt in this course, has however
emphasized the fact that innovation is neither
research nor science and technology, but rather
the application of knowledge in production.
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This knowledge might be acquired through
learning, research or experience, but until it is
applied in the production of goods or services,
it cannot be considered innovation.
The range of innovations is quite wide,
comprising both radical changes and many
small improvements in product design and
quality, in production processes or the way in
which production is organized, in management,
marketing or maintenance routines that
collectively modify products and processes,
bring cost down, increase efficiency and ensure
environmental sustainability.
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As opposed to the focus on novelty that is
central to the concept of invention and a key
criterion for patenting, innovation is a broader
concept and consists of the process by which
firms master and implement the design and
production of goods and services that are new
to them irrespective of whether they are new to
their competitors, their countries or the world
(Mytelka, 2000, 18)
Some examples of Nigeria’s Innovative
Achievements
Irrespective of the fact clearly shown above, that
innovation did not form a central part of
Nigeria’s science and technology policies, a few
modest achievements have been recorded,
these include:
 Space research: Nigeria has recently launched
two satellites
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(3)
A remote sensing, environmental monitoring
satellite which was used in effective tracking
of the tsunami and Katerina floor disasters,
and
A communication satellite (NigComSat1)
which has now domesticated the hosting of
communication/internet bands in the country.
The satellite is also expected to improve the
provision of GSM services in the country.
The Space Agency is presently working on
NigerianSat2 which is planned/expected to be
launched from the country.