A technology enthusiast, Mrs Roseline Ilori, on Thursday called for the remodelling of the Nigerian educational curriculum across all levels to accommodate the practical aspects of technology to engender early exposure to the nitty gritty of technology and innovation.
Ilori, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bridge 57 a tech company made the call at a media roundtable in Lagos.
She said that the need to expose, encourage and sensitise the Nigerian child through the educational system from a tender age was due to the massive economic potential it portends and its abilities to solve almost every problem across sectors.
Ilori urged government at all levels to invest in the technology education; not just software development, but in robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, voice biometric and a host of other technology spectrums.
According to her, such investments will also shore up manufacturing competitiveness via authentication and traceability of goods and services, improve physical security and cyber security, among others.
Ilori said that government need to be involved to make the Nigerian technology environment more friendly, seeing that the growth and young people’s interest in technology was massive.
She added that Nigerian technology experts were the most sought after in developed economies and the relocation syndrome had taken up to half of the technology brains the country possessed.
“In our universities, a lot is going on technologically that the government can take advantage of, but they must first invest enormous resources right from the universities to open the minds of students to the practical aspects of technology.
“Technology as of today is beyond computers and smart phone as it encompasses a whole lot which if youths are properly exposed to practically can yield massive economic potential and gains for the country.
“We must, therefore, rework the curriculum to accommodate technology, innovation and robotics beyond the surface use of computers.
“More practical approach that is relatable to real life more than the abstract classes the Nigerian child is used to is what is needed to open up their minds to the endless possibilities of technology,” she said.
Ilori, however, said that government funding upon disbursement must be put to good use to secure the future of technology and educate more persons that were willing to use their intelligence for the development of the nation.
She charged young girls with interest in the technology industry, perceived to be a male dominant industry, to take the bulls by the horn, even if they might be few in number and assert their competencies and capabilities.
“Funding is key and the cash flow is the blood of any business and this is necessary to build start ups that are innovation-driven.
“The ‘Japa Syndrome’ has been a major challenge affecting our human capital potential, hence, the need to grow more of these professionals internally so that when some leave, many more would be around to keep the country going.
“The ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s strike is a big discouragement to the technology education system.
“Funding partnership in technology in Nigerian universities need to be scaled up,” she said.
Ilori reiterated the Bridge57’s commitment to organising workshops, using innovative practices, methodology and tools to improve the Nigerian technology environment.
NAN
