Nigeria is not yet genuinely independent, according to Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, due to the unfettered flow of foreign technologies into the country. He believes that if a country is technologically dependent, it is not truly independent.
This was expressed by Ayade at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure’s Joint Action Congress in Abuja recently (NASENI).
At an event honoring Nigerians who have made major contributions to the agency’s repositioning, the governor, who received the ‘excellent performance’ award, praised President Muhammadu Buhari for allocating one percent of the Federation Account to NASENI.
According to data recently released by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), 90% of the technologies that power Nigeria’s economy are imported.
“The independence of Nigeria in 1960 was a mere political independence,” Ayade lamented without the development of local technology.
True independence will be achieved when Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in technology and engineering, which is why NASENI has received presidential clecarance to pay its dues using the constitutional provision of one percent of the federation account.
Once it is in place, NASENI will be able to commence serious science and engineering research in order to provide solutions and innovative technologies that meet our demands.
“The time has come for Africa and Nigeria to stop relying on foreigners to tell us what to do.
We don’t need a white man to come here and tell us how to trap this solar and turn it to power with the amount of sunlight we have here.”
We don’t need a foreigner to explain us how to manufacture air conditioners to make the place cooler in this hot heat.
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How much longer will we rely on foreigners to provide us with directions?
“As a nation, we must remain strong because the entire continent depends on us.”
If Nigeria falls, Africa as a whole would fail.”
President Buhari has urged NASENI to engage with state governments for accelerated technological development, according to Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman.
He emphasized the importance of technology in national growth, noting that “the private sector has been brought on board for efficient outcomes in the commercialization of domestically created products.”
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions, Hon. Olaide Akinremi, and Hon. Beni Lar were among those who received accolades.
