Nigeria To Start Exporting Technologies To African Countries, Says Minister

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, said on Tuesday that Nigeria would soon start exporting technologies to other African countries.
Ewa said this when a team of experts from the UNESCO paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.
The minister said the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) “Silicon Valley”, in Kwali, FCT, would be a zone where technology would be exported. Ewa said that the valley would not only be the steering point of development and diffusion of technology to Nigeria, but also for African countries.

Prof. Ita Ewa
“We have gone to the drawing board and discovered that micro-chips and integrated circuit form the hull mark and bed rock through which technology drive.
“We believe that the best approach to Nigeria is not giving us fish but how to catch a fish.
“We want the SHESTCO ‘Silicon Valley’ here to be a unique one that will not only ensure technology transfer to Nigeria but (will) be export processing zone, where technology would be exported to other African countries.
“That is why we have taken time to discuss with Paris government and other governments that have developed their science park,’’ Ewa said.
The minister said that the centre would be where solar technology value chain could be used in promoting the technology in Nigeria.
Ewa said that was why the ministry was collaborating with UNESCO and other relevant experts to get it right from the starting point.
He added that the country was going to develop a practical roadmap that would guide the valley even after the end of the current administration in the ministry.
Earlier, the leader of the UNESO team, Dr Voslan Nur, said the organisation had agreed to collaborate with the Federal Government to establish the valley.
He said the valley would be a promising project as obtained in other parts of the world.
Nur described the initiative of the ministry on the project as the right step in the right decision to make the nation’s technology park a productive centre.
Prof.  Deog-song Oh, the Secretary-General, World Technopolis Association, Korea, said the establishment of the valley would make Nigeria one of the world technology giants in the nearest future.
“When we think of African countries, we always think of Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
“Now, you are one of the giants of Africa; you can join the giants of the world through the application of knowledge-based economy like the developed economies,’’ Oh said.
He said a knowledge-based economy was the only way any country could fast-track its development.
The secretary-general said such a concept had been demonstrated by some other countries.
The other members of the visiting UNESCO team are Dr. Malcom Parry of the Surrey Research Park, Gilford, UK and Mr Han-Sic Cho, the Deputy Secretary-General of WTA.
The minister and the management of the ministry later led the UNESCO experts to SHESTCO where the site of the valley is located. (NAN)