NIGERIA: We are not ready to develop.

In 1967 studies were initiated in Swaziland with the purpose of discovering a tractor proper for use by the farmers in developing Swaziland. Two years later, the team decided to design and construct a model tractor at Swaziland Agricultural College and University Centre.

By the end of 1972 substantial success had been attained by combining local fabrication and standard imported components. What is important about this project is that transfer of technology was combined with fundamental, indigenous technological creativity at a truly scientific level. It is the potential of this kind of dynamic, which characterized the flowering of the European Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution that is now required by countries like Nigeria. By this submission which of course is my précis, Howard Bowen Jones was trying to imply the meaning of technology first used in the 17^th Century England which meant “a study of useful art”

If we must experience the level of development we envy elsewhere. Development of indigenous technology is a must and this cannot be undertaken outside a sustainable development framework. How will a country like Nigeria who is a perpetual consumer aggregate with first world countries such as Britain, Canada, and USA and of course China? We need a Revolution. First and foremost a Mindset Revolution. A shift from this consumer/exploiter mentality to a solution provider and creator mentality. 

When the news hit the social media that the musical sensation Beyoncé is to be studied as a course in Universities in the US, Nigerians reacted very differently and such reaction is what you know climes that are not ready to develop. To many of my pals, that is an outright waste of learning space and resources. But that is what happens in civilized climes, whatever is useful is studied. She has become a phenomenon they cannot deny therefore the need to study How, why, and what, explore and engage for possible replication of the phenomenon. My point is simple. All our 55 years of nationhood, over 100 accredited universities, close to a million graduates from faculties of engineering can produce is 4000 megawatts of electricity, dangerous roads, and collapsing buildings. The situation is becoming even more pathetic each passing day. 

We are not yet ready to develop. If we are, development studies will be a highly sought after career. More important than that is the fact that no Nigerian university has deemed it appropriate to establish a department of or Masters in Electricity Generation and Transmission. Why? We are not solution providers, we are consumers.

 Adanu Moses Part 1