By Barack Israel Lawrence
After over 50 years of independence from foreign colonial masters, Nigeria has remained dependent on other nations for so many products till date.
Achievable basic production after many years of toddling even with abundant talents, creativity, material and human resources has been a challenge for Africa’s sleeping giants.
Until recently, many factors such as inconsistent government policies, lack of will and adverse effect of oil windfalls have been a bane. The country’s leadership and her citizens saw no urgent need to harness the great talents that abound because of huge inflow of oil dollar. The vision to steer the nation from a dependent nation to a largely independent nation in various consumables and other basic products was not given adequate priority until oil earnings began to dwindle in the last two decades with government budgets constrained.
Following the crippling adverse effect, all government sectors and the industries began to adjust and consequently seeking solutions. The need for solution therefore necessitated the quest for alternatives after many failed attempts.
Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology this time took the gauntlet with concerted efforts to harness the budding talents in virtually all the states. This decision by the incumbent leadership of the Federal Ministry of Science Technology was greeted with overwhelming support of Civil Society for made in Nigeria goods whose many associate bodies turned up in their large numbers from virtually all the states of the Federation to endorse and encourage the plausible effort of Ministry.
At the recently concluded 2017 Made in Nigeria Technology Expo, an array of products were showcased with a galaxy of budding inventors whose products and research works caught the eye of the world giving hope that Nigeria can indeed get out of the wood of over dependence on imported products.
From household items to automobile, agriculture, education, building and construction, Power, Security and Military hardware, the list is endless. The share intellect, zest and courage of our inventors are a cynosure of great delight and hope for Nigeria.
It is no mean feat that this event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology under the able leadership of Dr Ogbonaya Onu, the Minister in collaboration with Civil Society Coalition for made in Nigeria goods, has indeed ushered in a great start to a new era. It is new era of empowerment to boost the local industries in a bid to discourage unnecessary importation. This noble direction, according to Mohammed Attah, National Coordinator of CSO Coalition for Made in Nigeria Products (CONMAP) has put our new inventors and their works on the spot light.
As an observing participant at the event among many others civil society actors that participated in the five-day event from different parts of Nigeria, I felt hope, I saw light on the part of our great country Nigeria that has been a sleeping giant.
Another observer participant, a veteran Economic and Public Affairs analyst, Dr. Emmanuel Anoliefo who concurred with the general observation by a large section of participants at the event averse that it was a great awakening for Nigeria as the need for freedom and independence from importation of basic needs of consumables which are daily imported in quantum is long overdue.
The winners’ award to the top ranked inventors in each of the categories is a rare feat by any succeeding Nigerian government. This should be sustained and enhanced subsequently with needed funding and other relevant support tailored to meet the needs of different inventors and research institutions.
Further, government should step up concerted awareness campaign in collaboration with the select CSOs under CONMAP as well as media to initiate endorsement departments for rapid development of outstanding research works and products.
Enabling environment for synergies between inventors, research institutions, importers and major industry players and manufactures should be entrenched. Tangible and requisite support for this heart-warming revolution should be provided for this awakening to thrive as it will by no mean feat increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and save Nigeria from increasing demand for Foreign Exchange (FOREX) and provide the solution for the ever rising unemployment in Nigeria.
