It’s clear and indisputable that any technological creation or innovation depends wholly on research works, which remain the bedrock of science and technology. Little wonder countries that believe in tech don’t hesitate to channel their efforts to activities pertaining to research development.
The Czech Republic has reportedly allocated $10.5 million in research funding to foster the growth and expansion of infrastructure, manufacturing and innovation in Nigeria.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna made the disclosure during the launch of the Call for Research and Development Proposals for the Delta-2 Programme, on Wednesday 18th May 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory.
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The project is a brainchild of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information (PICTT) exchange between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari sometime in 2021.
According to Prof Haruna, besides the $10.5 million funding donated by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR), the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), through NASENI, would supplement the fund with $5.7 million, totalling $16.2 million.
He said, “Technology acquisition and domestication, through this collaboration, will help in bridging the technology gap between Nigeria and the West and facilitate the transition to a manufacturing economy. Indeed, the deployment of technology is crucial to mitigate our socio-economic and security challenges.
“The Delta-2 programme is uniquely designed to catalyse technology transfer and mobilize positive interactions and investments among private sectors and relevant stakeholders in Nigeria and the Czech Republic.”
The NASENI boss noted that the project proposal submissions would cover the period between May and July 2022, and that the output of the projects was expected to yield patents, pilot plants and the development of proven technologies, among others.
He added, “These project results will revolutionize our agricultural practices and mining methods. It is expected to create new micro, small and medium enterprises and promote existing ones.
“The resulting technologies from these collaborations will be transferred and domesticated in Nigeria through NASENI and other research institutions and private companies.”
The Chairman of the PICTT, Muhammadu Dahiru disclosed to the audience, who comprised mainly heads of universities and research-based institutes, that the Delta-2 programme would empower the nation’s entrepreneurs and research institutions with the technology needed in developing new products and enhancing old ones.
He said, “At the end of the day, we want to start manufacturing things in Nigeria, so that we can stop inflation and the naira’s free fall.”
On her part, the representative of the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Beata Matusikova hinted that given the experience of her country and the potential Nigeria had in technology, both nations could develop a brighter future for the private sector.
This was indeed a very commendable move, to assert the least. It is only a nation yet to wake from sleep that’s still uninformed as regards the inevitable role of research activity in tech innovations.
However, this wasn’t the first bilateral agreement recently entered by Nigeria and other countries, yet the case remains the same in the country as regards commercialization of the nation’s countless patents.
Hence, the authorities involved in the aforementioned Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) graciously entered by the two countries, as witnessed by notable research-oriented individuals, must expedite actions to ensure it doesn’t stop at the Launch, but ought to transcend to the expected practical developments in the nearest future.
It’s imperative to take into cognizance that Nigeria would only get it right in the tech industry when her numerous technical potentials are given the needed due recognition without involving any form of pranks.
This can be actualized by putting the right people at the helm of affairs and ensuring that corruption is holistically tackled in the system not minding whose ox is gored.