A former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth
Nnaji, says the efforts of Nigerian universities have not been felt in
the generation of new products that result in industrial ventures.
To
accomplish this, Nnaji called on the Federal Government to provide the
enabling environment for technological innovation and intellectual
properties development.
According to him, there is the need to invest in infrastructure in the tertiary institutions.
He spoke at the National Higher Education Conference titled ‘Innovate and lead’ organised by Tell magazine, on Monday in Abuja.
The former minister stressed the importance of research, noting that most products came out of the research laboratories.
He
observed that provision of infrastructure in the nation’s universities
could engender economic prosperity, as it would lead to product
development, employment and national development.
Nnaji
added, “Although Nigeria has universities and national laboratories,
the efforts of these institutions have not been felt in the generation
of new products that result in commercial industrial ventures in the
same way Microsoft operating system became a worldwide product
phenomenon.”
By improving the quality
of infrastructure and teaching as well as establishing centres of
excellence, with the government providing funds that support research
and innovation, the ex-minister said Nigerians could easily achieve the
objectives of the conference.
Nnaji
listed the objectives to include providing a platform to harness the
nation’s immense brainpower, attracting investment in higher education
infrastructure, narrowing the wide gap between the higher institutions
and industry and mobilising resources towards utilising the
opportunities arising from the information super highway, among others.
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