Nigeria Should Prioritise STI To Escape Oil Dependence And Drive Tech Growth
Nigeria is clearly prioritising technology and innovation. In recent times, governments at different levels have initiated policies to ensure the nation catches up with the rest of the world in the digital era.
Nigeria’s large youth population is a major advantage that can be harnessed through investment in artificial intelligence, robotics and digital entrepreneurship. Nations that fail to embrace innovation risk being left behind in an increasingly digital global economy.
Failure to prioritise Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) could result in economic stagnation, continued oil dependence, food insecurity and exclusion from the global digital economy.
This week, stakeholders in the technology sector urged government to do more, even as they called on Nigerian youths to key into existing government initiatives.
As a matter of fact, Nigeria must prioritise STI to diversify its economy and build resilience against emerging challenges.
Innovation Policy Researcher, Dr Abel Shagu, said on Friday that “STI is critical to transforming Nigeria’s economy and reducing its dependence on crude oil.”
He noted that innovation has the potential to unlock opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, fintech and digital services, creating a more balanced and resilient economy. “STI is the engine that drives transformation across every sector,” he added.
Beyond industry, Nigeria also needs a modern biotechnology system, improved crop varieties and precision farming to strengthen food security and help farmers adapt to climate change. Innovation in agriculture would reduce hunger while improving the country’s capacity to withstand environmental pressures.
If Nigeria prioritises STI, it would accelerate industrialisation by enabling local processing of abundant raw materials instead of exporting them unprocessed.
Research-driven innovation would promote local value addition, create jobs, reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic industries.
It is also important to harness renewable energy, waste-to-energy projects and environment-friendly technologies to address Nigeria’s sustainability challenges.
Speaking at the monthly lecture of the Nigeria Institute of Management, Lokoja/Ajaokuta Chapter, on Tuesday, Dr Victoria Obera said that for the country to move from consumption to productivity, it must increase budgetary allocations to education, vocational training and human capital development.
She added that educational curricula should be reviewed regularly to align with labour market demands and technological changes.
“Priority should be given to vocational and technical education. Training centres should be equipped with modern facilities and qualified instructors. Greater emphasis should be placed on digital skills and emerging technologies to prepare Nigerian youths for the global economy,” she said.
Obera noted that human capital is about improving people’s skills, knowledge, health and experience to increase economic productivity.
Sustained investment in STI can position Nigeria for greater prosperity, resilience and technological leadership in Africa.
