By Emmanuel Elebeke

A Sectoral study conducted by African Institute of Technology, USA, on Science& Technology Innovation in Nigeria, revealed that Nigerian’s economy has seen little innovation in information and communications technology, ICT.

The reason according to the study was that a weak partnership exists between the companies, universities, and government laboratories and researchers in most clusters in Nigeria. The report evidenced its claim against the backdrop that when government labs or universities go on strike, it never immediately gives the companies any setbacks.

The report advised that such relationship should be structured in a way that schools must show more influence in local economies by working together to nurture innovation.

The study observed that growth in the sector would need more than few technology ideas to blossom, adding that infrastructure and capital remain critical elements to make the system thrive.

Shop online

Though, the ICT sector is dynamic and is growing, the report also observed  that its internet subsector will only grow, if the sector can encourage people to shop online or create credible, commercial digital platforms.

In the same vein, it added that education, quality workforce and collaboration can promote cross-cluster opportunities because these three enablers are present in Yaba, Lagos with bright prospects of emerging as a dynamic ICT hub of Nigeria.

In the area of craft technology, the report observed that the sub-sector is strong but the growth is being stunted by participants who appeared unfocused to improve on their ingenuity, as further findings revealed that those who survived in the sector did so without planning to expand and build a strong business.

The report however, attributed the widespread of craft technology in Nigeria to the low demand of skills to perform in the country.

In terms of distribution pattern, the findings also showed that Science and Technology, S &T innovation is not evenly distributed in Nigeria, as it was obvious in the findings that vibrant S&T innovation clusters in Nigeria are concentrated more in the southern region than the northern region of the country, thereby lowering Nigeria’s chances of increasing ICT innovation.

Even, with pockets of inventive engineering and scientific activities, it was evident in the report also that most inventors operate within the informal sector and cannot grow their businesses.

Poor manufacturing sector

On manufacturing, the study observed that the manufacturing sector in Nigeria is underperforming and needs to adopt labour intensive and low-tech approach to turn things around.

The study however, expressed optimism that Nnewi could become the light manufacturing capital of Nigeria in the coming years, as soon as the electricity problem is fixed.

The Innovation cluster research by African Institute of Technology funded by Tony Elumelu Foundation, conducted the research project to examine how science & technology innovation cluster can drive economic growth in Nigeria.

Understanding how clusters form

The study proved that it is possible to understand how investment and economic policies can be used to develop clusters more fully, by looking at how these clusters form and exploring their relationship with infrastructure, which will boost Nigeria’s economic growth.

A cluster is a geographically proximate group of interconnected companies and associates institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and complementarities.

Across the globe, clusters are recognized as more than just a collection of companies: they are also known for nurturing startups and stimulate technological innovation.

It is said that the entire S&T ecosystem grows up around a cluster. Clusters generally consist of small, home-grown businesses that have sprung up  organically.

Though they are still growing, the report is of the opinion that Nigerian clusters may be invented and rich in ideas, but a deliberate effort must be made to make the sector thrive.

The report had it that the trend of cluster growth in Nigeria is promising, particularly in the Southern region, which is attracting technical talent, superior management and foreign investment.

Strategic approach to growth

Other Findings include that Nigeria lacks strategic approach for growth of companies. The report says that such companies die due to infrastructural challenge, whether they have grown up organically or due to policy mandates as shown in export processing zones spread across the country.

From the infrastructure quality stand point, the report showed that the level of infrastructural quality in a particular area goes a long way in determining the volume of companies that settle there