Nigeria’s technology innovation and knowledge economy -By Ayo Baje

The main consensus reached at the recent World Science Conference held in Jerusalem, which attracted several Nobel laureates from across the globe, was the increasing need to transfer related knowledge to the younger generation. Coincidentally, it came at a time when ImpactLabs Nigeria held the second edition of its Annual Summer Workshop at the Bells University of Technology, Ota for selected science students drawn from all over Nigeria. The laudable initiative which was launched by students and graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA in 2014 is in partnership with Exxon Mobil, MIT Public Service Centre and Tabitha-Knowel Integrity Services at no cost to the participants. This is most inspiring.

For Nigeria to enjoy sustainable economic growth and development and join the league of nations that are technologically advanced, the policymakers must actively engage the intellectual capacity of the country’s inventors and innovators in the fields of science and technology, both at home and in the Diaspora. The enabling environment of stable infrastructure, adequate funding for research institutes and consistent policies that promote and meet international best practices have to be provided.

We should look inwards, to find lasting solutions to several economic challenges that still bedevil us, instead of the mass importation of sundry finished products and services, most of which we are capable of providing.

Interestingly, the students who participated in the workshop justified the resources invested in them by coming up with innovations that seek solutions to some of our prevailing economic problems. They were drawn into groups such as The Mavericks, Phonix, G5, MegaMinds, Dynamo and ACME. For instance, The Mavericks innovated the Exercise and Electricise machine comprising dynamo, charge controller, and power bank attached to a bicycle/motorcycle/treadmill or even pepper grinder. It has the twin advantages of burning one’s calories as you ride the bicycle while producing electricity to charge your handset and other home appliances. With over 20.3 per cent of Nigerians overweight and 22.2 per cent obese, and access to stable electric power still inadequate, it would be useful to even the rural dwellers. What more the selling price of N5, 000 makes it affordable.

On its part, the Phoenix Dual Bin would go a long way in environmental sanitation. Though wood was used for the prototype it has the capacity to convert both biodegradable (food wastes) and non-biodegradable (cellophane nylons) to make compost as natural fertilisers for the use of farmers.

Still on sanitation issues, the G5 produced an Automated Septic Tank Sensor. It allows home owners to assess the level of human waste in septic tanks from a screen, with the sensor attached to the tank, so that prompt evacuation could be carried out long before it gets filled up. Powered by alternating current and battery, it is easy to install and comes at no maintenance cost to the owner. The asking price of N3, 500 makes it also affordable.

And on health matter the Dynamo Care innovated by the Dynamo group is to be worn like a wristwatch to monitor one’s temperature and pulse for early detection of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Comprising a novel software and temperature sensor the design can also measure oxygen concentration for sickle cell patients.

With 3D printers and assembly plants in place, the product would be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, beating Apple Watch, Fitbit and Polar Watch. The inventors are confident of taking a chunk out of $12bn market! Since Anthony Rudd, a professor of stroke, King’s College, London, claims that 170 people die of stroke in Nigeria every day, this innovation has a ready market waiting to be tapped into.

For us to produce the next Emeagwalis, Nnajis, Jelilis and Achilefus the new All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government should learn from the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, China and India. They rank among countries with consistent policies that enhance the creative ability of their local inventors, who become leaders in this era of knowledge economy. That would breathe life to the ‘change’ mantra.