A technology enthusiast and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bridge 57, Mrs. Roseline Ilori on Thursday called for remodeling of the Nigerian educational curriculum across levels to accommodate the practical aspects of technology to engender early exposure to the nitty-gritty of technology and innovation.
Mrs. Olori made the call at a media roundtable in Lagos.
She said that the call to expose, encourage and sensitize the Nigerian child through the educational system from a tender age was due to the massive economic potential of technology and its ability to solve almost every problem across sectors.
She urged the government at all levels to invest in technology education; not just software development, but in robotics, artificial intelligence, bio-medicine, voice biometrics, 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 needs to be involved to make the Nigerian technology environment friendlier, 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 smartphones as it encompasses a whole lot which if youths are properly exposed to practice 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 should be 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 startups 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 technical education system.
“Funding partnerships in technology in Nigerian universities need to be scaled up,” she added.
Ilori reiterated Bridge57’s commitment to organizing workshops and using innovative practices, methodology, and tools to improve the Nigerian technology environment.
(NAN)
