SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.

Words will not suffice in expressing concern on the deteriorating state of science and technology and its useful application in our dear country Nigeria. The consequence of this is so glaring in the present state of the nation. Nigeria is been encompassed with so many challenges, ranging from providing adequate power supply, effective health services, good road and transportation networks, good telecommunication system , food insecurity, food preservation, tackling terrorism, infrastructural developments amongst others.

One factor that seems to be a solution to all of these highlighted problems wearing the country out is the critical role of science and technology. One would agree that the growth and application of science and technology in this country has been dormant for decades. No properly structured research infrastructures established and no worthwhile investment set aside for this purpose. The country has been moving in a seemly endless loop of underdevelopment.

I strongly believe that the dilapidated state of science and technology is a major problem, but the greater problem lays on our inability to rejuvenate from this state. Ideally, this rejuvenation ought to start from our schools of higher learning, especially the Universities, where a greater percentage of young and energetic minds engage in teaching and learning. The power of youths is one of the critical ingredients for innovation. Unfortunately, this has not been tapped into for several decades now.

Going by the definition of what an educational institution represents, they should be an epicenter and nucleus of developmental processes in a country. Such that industries and firms find practicable and viable answers to their contending problems, using scientific and technological tools created from these institutions.

The bedrock of technological development is research. When the research is absent, then underdevelopment becomes the order of the day. Emphatically speaking, research activities must be restored to the Nigerian universities. The creative and innovative minds of the students must be triggered to provide solutions. Enough to the inadequate state of our tertiary educational systems. It high time we explored a lasting solutions. I believe this would serve as wake-up call to all stakeholders in the science and technology sector.it is time to explore new and innovative ideas to abate the underdevelopment in this country

Albert Einstein once said "Education Is not the learning of fact, but the training of the mind to think."

I am convinced that the various problems facing this country can be effectively tackled and conquered in our universities.

I believe that the power generation issues in this country can be solved in our universities, the transportation challenges in our nation can be solved in our institution of higher learning, the issues with pot holes on our roads can equally be addressed in our schools, research for better materials for road constructions can be conducted in our universities. The surging food insecurity can also be solved in our schools. Research on adequate crop and animal farming styles as well as advanced food preservative measures can be carried out in our schools. The climate change and mitigation measures facing our country can be researched on in our schools. In addition, I believe that several solutions to the emerging economic, telecommunication, environmental crises and many more in the country can be tackled by students if they are challenged and motivated.

Neil Tyson once said “We are an elective democracy where science and technology will determine where the economically strong countries in the world would be. And science and technology literacy is important for security as well”.

Things just have to take a new turn in this country.

WATCHOUT FOR THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTION. COMING SOON…