The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria, on Monday, 21st February 2022, gave a six months deadline to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to come up with innovative solutions in Information Communications Technology (ICT).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami gave the deadline at a maiden Telecommunications-Based Research and Prototype Exposition in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory.
It was gathered that 10 of the prototypes, fully developed and ready for phase of market entry were presented and exhibited on the occasion, whose theme was, “The Drive Towards Commercialization of Telecoms Research for Sustainable Development in the Industry”.
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Pantami urged stakeholders to continuously refine the roles of players in the nation’s National System of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.
He stated that this would guarantee objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.
He said, “I do hope that the next event will not be about the prototype but adopting the solution. I will give NCC only six months from today for not only prototyping but solution and make it a national policy that this is what we have produced.
“We have the brain, we have the capacity and we need to support each other to move this country forward. We must continue to refine the roles of players in the nation’s National System of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.
“This will guarantee we achieve the objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigeria Telecommunications sector.”
The Communication minister therefore called on tertiary institutions that benefit from research grants to deeply consider commercialization of research prototypes.
“I must reiterate that successful commercialization of these prototypes will require requisite managerial and industrial competences as well as adequate funding. It is, therefore, necessary for the tertiary institutions that benefit from research grants to deeply consider the commercialization of the research outcomes (prototypes).
“This means that collaborations and partnerships are necessary for commercialization,” Pantami said.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Umar Danbatta, explained that the exposition was aimed at providing the necessary opportunity for the academic awardees of the Commission’s Telecoms-based research projects.
He disclosed it was for them to display already developed prototypes and pitch ongoing research to the industry stakeholders. He noted the importance of having a commercialisation strategy to transit from rudimentary research into the market in order to address the local challenges and reduce over dependence on imported innovations and technologies.
Danbata said, “This is to encourage the commercialization of these locally-developed telecommunications innovations as a way of fostering and deepening the indigenous technological capabilities of Nigerians.
“It is to support the overall growth of the industry and creating wealth for the spin-off companies.
“This forum will further provide opportunities for collaborative partnerships amongst the various stakeholders that are capable of stimulating the overall productivity and sustainability for the continuous growth of the industry.” he said.
The Regional Manager, Bank of Industry Ltd, Dr Kings Jack, pledged the Bank’s support and called on government and other stakeholders to increase investment in the telecommunications research and development as well as market for investment.
One of the lead researchers from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Sahalu Junaidu, developed an e-band tracker and monitoring system specifically for pilgrims.
Junaidu, a professor of telecom, informed that the e-band was to ease the identification of people and would also help the authorities in the management of persons on pilgrimage.
He, however, said that the project would be made generic so that it would cut across different areas.
Time has obviously come for the concerned authorities in Nigeria to go beyond designing a prototype. The country is of age to commercialize her numerous patents. This is why the university system must be duly funded and supported by the government and other stakeholders towards ensuring that the needful is done headlong.
Hence, the authorities involved need to go beyond mere issuing of an ultimatum. They must ascertain what the relevant institutions, such as the research institutes and universities, require in a bid to showcase the patents within their respective jurisdictions to the global space.