By Linus Chukwuma
I have argued severally on different social media platforms that I belong to, that our present wobbling economy which has defied solutions from experts can be traced to our unproductive years of mono-economy that solely depends on crude oil for revenues. Successive Governments lacked the political willpower to tackle the forex crisis by inadvertently postponing the doom days. Unfortunately, the consequences of our inactions are staring at us.
Ours is a country which has depended on the revenues from crude since the first oil boom in the 1970s. We were so comfortable with the then sustained inflow of petrodollars that we failed to diversify the economy. The implication is that reality has caught up on us, oil output of circa 1.3mbpd can no longer service the population of more than 200 million people.
Sadly, we are experiencing low FX inflow which must be addressed by policy makers to fast track Nigeria’s economic recovery. Our economy began to nosedive the moment we began to witness low crude production and laced by decline of crude oil prices globally. For the benefit of hindsight, every economic plan should be geared towards all round productivity by ensuring that the available scarce resources are effectively put to use and every sector is functional.
We need a paradigm shift to miraculously surmount our economic crisis and regain our rightful place in the comity of nations. Nigeria should borrow a leaf from countries like Israel, Canada, and other developing countries that prioritise investment in research, development and innovation.
Innovation is commonly attributed as a cornerstone to the socioeconomic development of developing countries, hence why our founding fathers ought to be appreciated for the wisdom behind the creation of an agency like the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). These thoughtful leaders had a rapid economic development plan in mind, to make Nigeria enjoy a competitive edge from locally inventive products that can be commercialised and exported to boost FX inflow and promote FX stability.
Unsurprisingly, economic experts have earmarked NASENI as one of the best performing agencies known for its inventions, innovations and technological products that have been immensely advancing the socioeconomic development of the country. The NASENI’s towering status as the leading technology transfer agency strategically positioned it as the most reliable route in the actualisation of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
In little over a year, NASENI under the leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Halilu has repositioned the agency which aims to improve the nation’s productivity status through quality research and inventive products that can be commercialised to reduce our capital goods outlook through importations.
Mr. Halilu has queued into President Bola Tinubu’s economic plans tailored towards revitalising the country through reforms driven by technological advancement. Government should leverage the agency’s pool of talents and numerous commercially viable products to accelerate economic growth. This is happening in an era when the EVC is prioritising staff welfare and has commendably continued to provide an enabling environment in the different development institutes that make up the agency.
I am not a mind reader but I can graciously imagine the amount of joy on his face after the news broke that the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, University, at the ongoing 6th Annual International Conference and Exhibitions conferred the award of the “Best Technology Products Exhibitor” on the Electronics Development Institute, ELDI.— a development institute under NASENI.
I like to think that ELDI has evolved into a powerhouse of innovations under the dynamic Engr. Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro, Overseeing Officer of the institute. The research institute otherwise known as the hub of innovations prides itself as the centre for the technological solutions for the plethora of economic challenges facing Nigeria.
At the Igbariam campus, the University community and her special guest, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo as well as other distinguished guests which include the honorable commissioner for commerce and industry were wowed by the ingenious research products of ELDI. The institute, through its talented researchers, has surpassed expectations with the Electronics Medical Compact System. The indigenously designed and built medical equipment is a one-stop device which checks vitals and aims to improve service delivery in the hospitals. Also, it is a known fact that the most populous country in Africa is facing a tremendous challenge in its power sector, and the need to address the aged-long issue led ELDI to design and develop the solar generator and Solar Lighting System to fill the gap in the electricity grid.
What about the 5W LED bulb? The ELDI’s motivated researchers had outperformed themselves with the product which is specifically designed to last more than a decade and is capable of withstanding between 50 to 350V. I am afraid that time and space will not permit me to outline all the inventive products exhibited by the institute but the automated battery caged poultry management system deserves to be mentioned because of its importance in the poultry farming sector. The highly recommended machine employs sensors to manage and automate the activities of poultry farming.
Truth be told, Nigerians need to reduce their appetite for foreign products, and look inwardly by partnering with ELDI and NASENI as a parastatal for the products they produce. Also, every believer of the Nigerian dream and advocate for a prosperous and productive country should continue to lead the crusade that the Federal Government should aggressively invest in NASENI which houses numerous 21st century inventive and innovative products that have the ability to jump-start our staggering economy when commercialised.— there is no better way to activate our competitive advantage globally.
Let me use this platform to commend NASENI’s consummate EVC for his transformational leadership anchored on the 3Cs principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation. This forward-thinking approach is a watershed moment in the agency akin to the fulcrum of Nigeria’s industrialisation and rekindles my strong conviction that the civil service holds the key to promoting robust economic activities in our country.
Back to the award, ELDI commands a culture for cutting-edge research and innovations will always stand us out from our contemporaries. We boast of a supportive management and collaborative workforce who are working tirelessly to take the agency to an unprecedented height and productively contribute to its growth and the GDP of the nation.
The International Conference and Exhibitions may have come to an end, but the ELDI’s recent recognition by the esteemed higher institution named after an illustrious son of Nigeria, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu show that with an improved budgetary allocation and availability of funds to enhance productivity the institute’s inventions and products will have a far-reaching impact on Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Once again, congratulations to the Management and Staff of the Institute for the successful outing and deserved recognition.
May NASENI continue to succeed!
Linus Chukwuma
Information, New Media and Protocol
ELDI, Awka
