‘Inability to apply local innovation responsible for Nigeria’s stagnation’

A renowned nuclear physicist, Dr. Felix Oragwu, has said inability to apply local innovation to develop key sector of Nigeria’s economy is responsible for the country’s stagnation since independence, maintaining that without modern technology, development would be difficult to attain. 

The former university don spoke at the launch of his book titled, “Technology and Wealth of Nations” in Abuja. 
Oragwu, who was the arrowhead of the scientific and technological innovations that sustained secessionist Biafra during the 30-month civil war, stressed the need for the country to invest in domestic capacity to develop modern technologies. 

On the book, he said it is all about the need for countries to develop technologies in wealth creation. “Currently, Nigeria does not produce modern technology or industry tools. 

And since we cannot do that, we have to import and since we don’t have much money to import these technologies, where do we go from here?

“That is why we are poor, underdeveloped with a lot of graduates hunting for jobs. The fact is what we are currently doing cannot get us anywhere. We need to invest in domestic capacity and capability to create modern technologies,” he stated. 

Reviewing the book, the executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, described the author as a thoroughbred professional, whose strength through his career as a teacher symbolised the best anyone could aspire to. 

According to him, the difference between advanced and underdeveloped countries is technology acquisition and application.