chief olusegun obasanjo (gcfr) president, c-in-c federal republic of nigeria prof. turner t. isoun...

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Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR)

President, C-In-C

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Prof. Turner T. Isoun

Hon. Minister


WORLD BANK FORUM – POLICY MAKERS ROUNDTABLE

ON

BUILDING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINABLE

GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTIONChief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR)

President, C-In-C



Hon. Minister of Science and Technology


HOLDING IN WASHINGTON DCUSA

13TH – 15TH FEBRUARY, 2007

INPUT FROM PROF. TURNER T. ISOUN( HON. MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, NIGERIA)

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A. SPECIFIC S, T & I CAPACITIES NEEDED

1. High level capacity building ( Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Research Institutes, Policy Makers, Industry) on the myriad of multi-sectoral skills required for deploying space S & T for development. 80 – 90% of all reliable and cost effective data for modern development are satellite –derived. Train- the-Trainer programmes necessary for wide acceptance and deployment of this technology for poverty reduction, achievement of MDGs, production of value-added export products.

2. To achieve all the MDGs in the emerging global knowledge economy and society, the following tools could be deployed to stimulate and demystify the learning and acquisition of skills at an early age or by the disadvantaged in society. Hence the World Bank and other Development Agencies could fund the use of the following already developed materials.

Primary and secondary school science kits

Culture-friendly, home-grown Interactive Instructional Materials on Mathematics, the “language” of science and technology.

Mobile Internet Units

WORLD BANK FORUM ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION (S, T & I) CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION

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A. SPECIFIC S, T & I CAPACITIES NEEDED (Cont’d)

• Our policies on : Space S & T, ICT, Biotech, Engineering Materials Development, Empowering Knowledge-based SMEs, Energy R & D, IPR, Traditional Medicine Development, S & T Databank etc all have value-adding impact on natural resources-based exports. Hence modern capacity building tools are imperative for us to be globally competitive. Needs are diverse.

4. To address A (3) adequately, sequestered Centres of Excellence are in place or being developed. Technical, vocational, engineering, entrepreneurship, managerial skills need to be developed. The African Institute of Science & Technology (AIST) challenge is also most welcome.

5. Technology incubation schemes need to be established, expanded or modernized. Capacity building on best practices are required in Universities and Research Institutes setting up and running their own Technology Incubators and Parks .


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6. Funding of Capacity Building Exchange programs that will bring in international Experts for wider local impact are desired.

7. Numerous opportunities exist for the development of bioresources-based bioenterprises. Need to deploy ICT and other technical managerial skills to massively train people on value-adding procedures/processes in all cadres of society. It is estimated that by 2020, 50% of the world economy would be bioeconomy; hence the need to build capacity in bioresources for which we have comparative advantage. Sustainability issues are also very important.

8. Capacity building on the strengthening of the linkage between policy makers, researchers, and industry needs urgent attention to enhance market-driven R & D and job-creating/wealth generation opportunities.


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9. Formal entrepreneurship training programs in our tertiary institutions and research institutes to enhance the production of job creators and not job seekers has become urgent and needs support.

10. Modern Science is cooperation; public-private partnerships across domestic-international divides anchored on best practices need to be actively promoted on priority bases to build capacity. Exchange program required.

11. Policies on meeting basic needs of the citizenry through upgrading of traditional technologies desired. Capacity building on:

Food and miscellaneous processing technologies;

Alternative energy development and use (solar, biofuel, smokeless coal briquettes etc)

Development and popularization of alternative low cost, environment-friendly building materials, etc .

12. Management Capacity building/Contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s proposed $5 billion Science Endowment Fund.


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POLICY MAKERS’ ROUNDTABLEA. Broad Objective of Nigeria’s S & T Strategy

To mainstream Science, Technology, and Innovation into the nation’s socio- economic development efforts and be an active player in the emerging global ICT-driven knowledge economy.

No need to re-invent the wheel focused on areas of comparative advantage – bioresources but also tapped into high technology to address the needs of our people.

1. Key socio-economic solutions being sought that are encapsulated in the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy ( NEEDS) are :

a. Diversification of the National Economy

b. Employment Generation

c. Wealth Creation

d. Poverty Reduction

e. Value Re-orientation

2. How does the S, T & I Policy Address these problems?

(a) Formulation and Adoption of ICT-friendly National Policies (Telecoms, IT, Broadcasting, Space S & T)

(b) The Deregulation and Liberalization of the ICT Industry ( now private sector-led ). Telephone lines now number 34 million (32.2 mobile +1.7 fixed) as against 0.7 million (mobile + fixed) Pre-1999 . Investment in telecoms in 1999 (paltry $50 million) but now $9billion and still growing.

(c) To leapfrog Nigeria’s entry into the global knowledge economy, action facilitated by S, T & I Policies for flagship programs, viz, ICT, Biotech, Space S & T, Knowledge-based SMEs, Engineering Materials Development, IPR, Traditional Medicine Development, S & T Data Bank, Energy R & D.

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Nigeria’s S & T Activities

• Nigeria's Sat 1 a low orbit satellite launched in 2003 with multi-sectoral applications – including Disaster management – in constellation with others provided data for Katrina and other disasters

• Nigeria Communication Satellite Nigcomsat is expected to be launched in the next few months, to be followed by another higher resolution low orbit satellite

• A 20 year Space Research Development Policy

• NICOSAN a plant derived drug for Sickle-cell disease from indigenous knowledge and research.

• Development of Traditional medicines to address national health challenges, job and wealth creation.

• Digital documentation of indigenous knowledge and bio-resources• ICT backbone

• Computer for all Nigerians Initiative CANI

• Diversification of Energy sources

• Researches on Neem and Bio-Fuels

• Material Science and School Kits

• Development of Frameworks for IPR, working to establish Technology transfer offices and private companies to use research and development to address national economic growth and development

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POLICY MAKERS’ ROUNDTABLE

3. Above policies all entail capacity to conduct R & D by established National Research Institutes, in addition to Laboratories in Universities and Polytechnics. Promotion of value-adding use of natural raw materials is thus inevitable.

B. POLICY MAKING PROCESS

1. Who articulated the S & T Process?The Federal Ministry of Science & Technology

2. Who was consulted ?Stakeholders from the Technology Tripod (Government, Academia, and Industry) and some Nigerians in the Diaspora.

3. How is the program being implemented? Policy updates/reforms backed by legislative actions are being done in phases and in a prioritized manner because of attendant cost implications of numerous programs generated from such policy strategic plans.

4. Implementation problems encountered include: Inadequate funding; capacity inadequacies ( infrastructural, human (technical skills and knowledge gaps), institutional (managerial etc) ).

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POLICY MAKERS’ ROUNDTABLE5. How are broad policy objectives being converted into specific programs, policies, and action plans ?

Knowledge-based, S & T- driven, R & D-friendly raw materials-based SMEs program being driven by S & T Parastatals ( RMRDC, NASENI, NOTAP etc) and some Universities/Polytechnics.

Computers for All Nigerians Initiative (PPP) to enhance opportunity leveler status of ICT.

National ICT Infrastructure Backbone ( NICTIB) – (PPP); Critical foundation for all e-transactions and technology-based services in government and the larger society. The provision of this connectivity will support the attainment of MDGs and ensure the delivery of requisite programs in education, health

care, agriculture, commerce etc to rural, and underserved urban communities.

Reform of Nigeria’s S, T & I System, etc (Nigeria-UNESCO partnership)

Learning global best practices through an international peer review process anchored on the Honorary Presidential Advisory Council on S & T.

Domestic peer review process initiated, team dominated by members from academia and industry.

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World Bank Project – Science and Technology Education Post Basic (STEP-B) Project

Government through the Federal Ministry of Education is processing a $180m World Bank Facility to support development of S&T Education at the Post Basic Level

4 Year Life Span

Support Programs and Sub-Project in S&T aimed at improving quality and relevance in teaching, learning, research, equity in access at the Post Basic level

Aimed to increase high quality and relevant S&T specific enrolment and graduation rates for M.Sc and Phd

Increase the availability of relevant S&T data and performance indicators linked to quality learning and research

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POLICY MAKERS’ ROUNDTABLE

C. OPERATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

1. Any help from International Community during design of National S & T

strategy? Minimal help but tapped best practice ideas mainly from the Internet

and Nigerians in the Diaspora.

2. Assistance required from organizations such as World Bank, DFID,

UNESCO etc during implementation stage.

a. Capacity building in policy development, analysis, research and evaluation;

development and use of databanks on S, T & I research outputs.

b. Capacity building on linkage of government, academia and industry for

effective S, T& I policy implementation.

c. Capacity building on accessing of globally available funds through

competitive proposal writing.

d. Technical and Management skills capacity building required by most

Parastatals to modernize their operations extensively deploying ICT tools.

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POLICY MAKERS’ ROUNDTABLED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES READY TO EMBARK ON A SIMILAR PROCESS

• Informed socio-economic reforms anchored on informed leadership is essential.

• There must be Political will and Conviction – A Policy Champion and A Policy Patron – Mr. President

• Policy Must be homegrown with all stakeholders participating in its development and ownership

• Must Prioritize – Focus on areas of comparative advantage but also embrace high technology to address national socio-economic growth and development

• Build very high essential and relevant skills

Set national S, T & I priorities anchored on one’s strengths and areas of comparative advantage. Have a well-defined national focus; think global, but act local and consult widely especially those with cognate experience.

Make S, T & I relevant to the nations socio-economic needs to get enhanced support for public funding .

21st century science is cooperation; seek public-private partnerships across domestic- international divides, using win-win platform. HPAC, UNESCO World Bank etc

Set up domestic/ international peer review systems to fast-track nation’s relevance in the emerging global knowledge economy and to also embrace global best practices.

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Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR)

President, C-In-C



Hon. Minister


chief olusegun obasanjo (gcfr) president, c-in-c federal republic of nigeria prof. turner t. isoun...

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