By Alex Abutu
We are in the era of technology. Every facet of human life is now enhanced with technology. Ranging from healthcare to agricultural productivity, technology is leading the way and delivering quality healthcare as well as enhancing quality agricultural produce and service delivery.
The need for Nigeria to make strategic and sustainable investment in cutting edge technologies should become a national priority in view of recent developments in the country.
Today, the whole country is at a breaking point following the confusing that arose from the February general elections where the electoral umpire was unable to adhere to the agreed rules of the game citing technological hitches.
Technological advancement is no longer an exclusive preserve of any country. Negatively, our youth under the derogative name of Yahoo Boys have been able to show glimpses of what technology can do but regrettably, government had not taken cognizance of this development that had given the country its troubled images and turned it around for good.
Investing in cutting edge technologies is essential for every country because it can provide numerous benefits that can help a nation thrive in today’s global economy. India is today regarded as a world power when it comes to technology. A lot of jobs are provided for Indians right in their backyards based on the identity the country had been able to create for itself as a technology giant. When companies go to sleep in the USA, their balance sheets and others are moved to India and by the time, they wake the next day, all is ready for them to start the day on a fresh note.
Recent happenings in the country have also revealed the urgent need for the Federal Government to rethink its STI policy and consider positioning investment in advance technology as a critical way to enhance our development.
The excuses provided by INEC and other government agencies regarding the performance of the gadgets procured for the 2023 elections shows clearly that government understanding of the powers of technology and what it can do for us as a nation is still verge.
We have very strong and viable critical backbones which are sought after all over the world but unfortunately, we are still depending on foreign purchase to address our technological needs. How well has government utilized the NigComSat1-R.?
Yesterday, I leant of the existence of the Nigeria Data Protection Agency, yet every day Nigerians are filling one form or the other requiring us to provide the same data all over again. The time for convergence and integration is here but it does not make sense to us.
Here are some reasons why investing in cutting edge technologies is a must for Nigeria at this critical moment.
Cutting edge technologies can create new industries, products, and services that can lead to economic growth. By investing in these technologies, a country can develop innovative businesses that create jobs and drive economic expansion.
Technology can enhance the global competitiveness of a country as it can position it to gain a competitive advantage over other countries that do not. By developing new technologies, a country can improve its productivity, efficiency, and output, which can help it to compete more effectively in the global market. Today we are nation that does not add value to the huge raw materials potentials hence we are busy creating jobs for other economies why unemployment level is on the rise daily.
Investing in cutting edge technologies can also enhance a country’s national security. Advanced technologies can help a country to defend against cyber-attacks, improve intelligence gathering, and protect critical infrastructure. We lost in our fight against insurgent and other criminal elements that has held us hostage. With technology this fight can be won in no time.
Improved Quality of Life: Cutting edge technologies can also improve the quality of life for citizens. For example, advanced medical technologies can help to cure diseases, and new transportation technologies can make commuting faster and more efficient.
Environmental Sustainability: Investing in cutting edge technologies can also help a country to become more environmentally sustainable. By developing renewable energy technologies and reducing waste, a country can reduce its carbon footprint and improve the health of its citizens.
Twenty years ago, the Federal Government distributed laptops to civil servants, allocate more to schools and today, government is still providing information technology access to citizenry through various initiatives, but have we taken stock of how these lofty programmes are impacting on the country developmental agenda?
Government needs to lead this change. A trending video on one of the popular social media platform shows how kids in China are learning coding and software development in contrast to a scene in Nigeria where we are gathered at a prayer ground submitting our national request before God. Why it is good to pray and ask for God’s intervention, I think investment in technology is what we need to change our story.
