Science, Technology and Innovation Systems

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Science, Technology and Innovation Systems
Current Status in Nigeria

• Dr. E.M. Okonkwo
• (Director General, NARICT, FMST, Nigeria)
• Dr. Alex U. Akpa
• (Director, Medical Biotechnology, FMST, Nigeria)

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Introduction

• With a land area of about 923,768 km², Nigeria is
  one of the largest countries in Africa
• Population over 140 million largest black nation
  in the world
• Agriculture provides employment for most of the
  population (oil and gas)

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• Democratic system with three tires of government
• Central or federal government
• State governments
• Local governments
• Nigeria is a federation of 36 states with three
  seats of government located in the central city
  Abuja. 765 Local government areas apply.

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The Nigerian Economy

• 1.2.1 before independence in 1960, agriculture
  played a dominant role in the overall economy of
  Nigeria- contributing significantly to both the
  Gross Domestic Product and Total Value of Export.
  The bulk of revenue accruing to the government at
  the time was derived form the agricultural
  sector, which contributed 45 of total export.
  During the decade 1960 1970, the growth rate of
  agriculture was comparable to that of population
  of about 3. By 1965, agriculture accounted for
  50 of the GDP and 45 of export. During the
  decade of the 70s agricultures contribution to
  the GDP has gone down to about 30 while
  contribution to export was under 10. Petroleum
  exports assumed a dominant role as an export
  commodity. It comprised 58 of all export in
  1970, 96, 97 and 95 in 1980, 1990, and 1999
  respectively.

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• 1.2.2 However, the oil glut and the consequent
  drop in the price of petro-products in the early
  1980s (1982 to 1986) reduced foreign exchange
  earnings and necessitated efforts towards the
  revival and revitalization of the other sectors
  of the economy, and in particular, agriculture.

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The manufacturing Sector

• 1980-1985 during the pre-structural adjustment
  period the manufacturing sector experienced a
  downward trend. The average capacity utilization
  was in the order of 44.
• 1986-1993 corresponding the structural adjustment
  period (SAP) the index rose from 75 to 182.7
  while capacity utilization was an average of
  40.8.
• 1993-1998 post SAP period, manufacturing index
  fell from 185 to 133, utilization of 32.

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Impact on the lives of common people

• Per capita income falling significantly to about
  US300 between 1990-2000 (SSA average was US450)
• 90 million Nigerian of the 133 million then were
  in absolute poverty, less then one dollar a day
• Presently, per capita income is US1050

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Needs

• Government reforms from 1999 to present
• With the return of democratic governance in 1999
  a series of reforms were embedded upon under the
  National Economic Government and Development
  strategy in consonance with the MDGs from the UN
• Under this strategy less emphasis was paid on oil
  and gas as the national economy
• Non-oil sector (agriculture, solid minerals,
  telecommunication, FDI, ETC) gained more
  prominence

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The Science, Technology and Innovation Policies
in Nigeria

• The ministry of Science and Technology was
  scrapped and recreated several times under the
  long period of military rule.
• In 1999 the FMST has witnessed more stability.
  Since then many STI policies have Been put in
  place the more prominent ones include

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• 4.1.3 The recent emergence of more science and
  technology draft policies is based on the premise
  that there is the desire need for appropriate
  technologies that Nigeria through and beyond will
  propel the 21st century. The policies are
  designed to underpin the nations socio-economic
  progress taking into account domestic productions
  in agriculture and rural development, industrial
  and health sectors
• 4.1.4. The policies prescribe the use of science
  in integrating indigenous knowledge into
  development initiatives and popularizing of
  science and technology for growth and development

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• 4.1.5 At present there are about twelve policy
  documents on Science and Technology in Federal
  Ministry of Science and Technology. While some of
  the policies are draft policies still undergoing
  scrutiny, some have been given Federal Executive
  Councils approval. Such will be presented to the
  legislature for legitimization through the
  enactment of relevant Bills.

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• 4.1.6 the draft policies are
• Policy on Linkage of the Federal Ministry of
  Science and Technology Universities, National and
  International research Institutes.
• Policy on Human Capacity Building of Nigerians
  in, and Transfer of Technology by Multinational
  Companies
• Policy on Cooperation of Federal Government
  Ministries and Federal Ministry of Science and
  Technology based Capital Projects at Federal,
  State and Local Government levels.
• Policy on Appropriate Technologies for Empowering
  Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs)

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1. Policy on Engineering Materials Development
2. Policy on Science and Technology Data Bank
3. Policy on Intellectual Property Rights
4. Policy on Energy Research and Development

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• 4.1.7
• Policy on Biotechnology
• Policy on Space Research
• Policy on Information technology
• Presidential Council on Science and Technology
  (PCST)

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Policy on Biotechnology

• 4.2.1.1 Policy Proposals National Biotechnology
  Policy was articulated to facilitate advancement
  in Biotechnology. The policy mission is that
  Nigeria shall as a matter of priority, initiate
  appropriate steps to explore the use of
  Biotechnology for the benefit of Nigerians and
  thus ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the
  international leaders in Biotechnology. This
  should be pursued through the provision of an
  enabling environment that responds to the needs
  of biotech industry, the RD communities and the
  relevant national and international concerns.

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• 4.2.1.2 The policy prescribes the establishment
  of a National Agency which should have the
  responsibility to coordinate biotechnology
  research and development. A Ministers Council
  shall be set up to be responsible for the
  activities of the Agency. A National technical
  Committee shall be set up to serve as a body of
  experts to advise the Ministers Council.

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Policy on Space Research

• 4.2.2.1 Policy Proposals the policy on Space
  Research aims at ensuring that Nigeria vigorously
  pursues the attainment of Space Capabilities as
  an essential tool for its socio-economic
  development and the enhancement of the quality of
  life for its people.
• 4.2.2.2 Organization/Institution set up and its
  Mandate National Space Research and Development
  Agency (NASRDA) has been established. It became
  operational with a Decree on National Science and
  Technology ACT, 1980 National Space Research and
  Development Agency Order 1999. NASRDA is to
  coordinate various programmes for the attainment
  of the national space capability.

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Policy on Information Technology

• 4.2.3.1 Policy proposals NITDA is to make
  Nigerian and IT capable country in Africa and key
  player in the information society by the year
  2005 using IT as the engine for sustainable
  development and global competitiveness as well as
  for wealth creation and poverty eradication.
  NITDA is to implement the IT policy, regulate,
  monitor, evaluate and verify progress on an
  on-going basis under the supervision and
  coordination of its parent ministry Federal
  Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The National Information Technology Development
  Agency (NITDA) has also been created to implement
  the IT policy

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Presidential council on Science and technology

• 4.2.4.1 Policy Proposal this council meets at
  least three times a year under the chairmanship
  of Professor Hassan, the President of the Third
  World Academy of Science (TWAS) to evaluate/ the
  implementation of the various ST policies and
  advice the president. The Council which is hired
  by Professor Hassan, is made up of four
  international Science Technology experts the
  honorable minister of ST, the permanent
  secretary, all directors of the Ministry and the
  Director General of the various agencies.

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• Despite the fact that the nation now has place
  well articulated ST policies and very critical
  areas, full benefits have not been derived from
  these efforts de mainly to the shear absence of a
  strong innovation component in the policies the
  innovation component was not clearly defined.
• As we all know, innovation is often confused with
  research and measured in the terms of scientific
  or technological outputs. What we have all learnt
  in this course, has however emphasized the fact
  that innovation is neither research nor science
  and technology, but rather the application of
  knowledge in production.

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• This knowledge might be acquired through
  learning, research or experience, but until it is
  applied in the production of goods or services,
  it cannot be considered innovation.
• The range of innovations is quite wide,
  comprising both radical changes and many small
  improvements in product design and quality, in
  production processes or the way in which
  production is organized, in management, marketing
  or maintenance routines that collectively modify
  products and processes, bring cost down, increase
  efficiency and ensure environmental
  sustainability.

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• As opposed to the focus on novelty that is
  central to the concept of invention and a key
  criterion for patenting, innovation is a broader
  concept and consists of the process by which
  firms master and implement the design and
  production of goods and services that are new to
  them irrespective of whether they are new to
  their competitors, their countries or the world
  (Mytelka, 2000, 18)

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Some examples of Nigerias Innovative
Achievements

• Irrespective of the fact clearly shown above,
  that innovation did not form a central part of
  Nigerias science and technology policies, a few
  modest achievements have been recorded, these
  include
• Space research Nigeria has recently launched two
  satellites

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1. A remote sensing, environmental monitoring
   satellite which was used in effective tracking of
   the tsunami and Katerina floor disasters, and
2. A communication satellite (NigComSat1) which has
   now domesticated the hosting of
   communication/internet bands in the country. The
   satellite is also expected to improve the
   provision of GSM services in the country.
3. The Space Agency is presently working on
   NigerianSat2 which is planned/expected to be
   launched from the country.