The concept of technological development in Nigeria evolved through the years after political independence in 1960; there was the concern for economic independence. The aim was that Nigeria should gradually reduce her dependence on Britain her former colonial master that dominated the production and distribution organization in Nigeria at that time. Economic development was to progress in an orderly manner and no dislocation to the system was to be allowed. The existing companies were to be encouraged and new ones were to be attracted to increase investment in Nigeria
It cannot produce capital goods such as tractors, lathe machines, drilling machines, cars, trains, and other earth moving equipments
It is unable to exploit her natural resources except with the help of foreigners who will normally provide the technology and expertise to undertake the exploitation of her natural resources.
It is unable to mechanize her agriculture i.e. crude implements are still used for agricultural production activities by a large percentage of those who are involved in agricultural production
Causes of Technological Backwardness in Nigeria
Before the advent of colonialism Nigerians were involved in many aspects of industrial and practical arts. They made their own hoes and other implements for farming, were able to weave their own clothes, smelted bronze and were able to cast an object as intricate as the “Festac mask” that was stolen by the British, undertook tanning of hides and skin amongst others. According to Akaninwor (2008), the colonialists discouraged further development of Nigerian technology as they reasoned it was a threat to the smooth marketing of goods imported form Europe. He went further to assert that “ogogoro” was termed illicit gin by the colonialists, and whoever was caught producing, marketing, or consuming it was persecuted
It is generally believed that necessity is the mother of invention. Under the fire power of the military government during the civil war,(1966- 1970) Biafra produced a lot of fighting machines equipments, bombs and other sophisticated items using local technology trample the “Red Devil” armored personnel carriers, Ogbunigwe (mass killer), orange peel mosquito coil bombs etc. (The African Guardian July 23 1997). The Biafrans even extracted and refined their own petroleum product. But because of pride and inept leadership Nigeria has not made a positive effort to cash on this war time inventions, sit down and find out how these skills can be further improved upon for enhanced productivity because of the greed that has blind folded our visionless leaders
Government attitude towards breaking the jinx of technological backwardness in Nigeria is both disgusting and appalling. Nigeria is probably the only country in the world where you can find all brands of cars without any one having been designed and made by Nigerians. Policy makers take technological decisions without consulting Nigerian engineers and technologists. And where sometimes good policies are taken, the follow up and implementation becomes an uphill problem as out implementation methodology in all facets of our Nation has never been adequately sustained.
Our universities, polytechnics and technicalthrough espionage. Spies are often employed to collect top secrets and company documents required for developing such products, which they pass on to their sponsors for a fee
A good number of research institutions in Nigeria are not adequately funded. This continues to militate against effective research undertaking. India for example invested over three billion dollars in 1985 in some 1,300 research institutes working on electronics aeronautics and space, atomic energy, etc In 1985, India spent 1.5% of her GNP on research and development compared with about 2.5% spent by the US. Nigeria’s highest allocation figure was 0.43% in 1983, which went down to 0.05% in 1992 and 0.23% in 2003 (The Nigerian Engineer, Vol. 35 No. 4 December 2003): This is very sad for a sector whose responsibility is to research into areas that will enhance development in the country
with all the student have been barred from using there talents ...we therefore the government to support it youth so it can help developing the economy
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