The urgent need for collaboration between research sector, academia, and manufacturers to drive innovation and economic growth of the country has been emphasized.
The former President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Engineer Elizabeth Eterigho highlighted this in a interview with ASHENEWS.
According to her, there is a crucial link between Nigeria’s education system, its industrial sector, and the untapped potential within the country.
Eterigho underscores the detrimental effects of continuously seeking external solutions instead of nurturing domestic capabilities.
“Imagine the dollars you are wasting to buy the product from outside the country and within, you are not helping the economy of the country to grow” she laments, highlighting the drain on the economy and the missed opportunity for local development.
Highlighting the abundance of untapped research sitting idle, Eterigho stresses the importance of implementation.
She echoes the sentiment that Nigeria possesses the capability to manufacture everything it imports, emphasizing the need to unleash the potential of research institutes.
Eterigho points out the vast talent pool within Nigeria’s petroleum engineering sector, suggesting that with proper harnessing, the country’s refineries could thrive.
She further questions the efficacy of existing governmental bodies tasked with fostering innovation and calls for a more concerted effort towards industrial advancement.
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The former President who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna advocates for a paradigm shift where manufacturers engage with universities, leveraging research sector findings to fuel production locally.
Eterigho also stressed the importance of implementation and unlocking the potential of research institutes.
Eterigho’s vision extends beyond collaboration; she envisions a proactive approach where graduating students are empowered to become job creators rather than job seekers.
She called for government intervention to support young entrepreneurs and turn their ideas into tangible products.
Eterigho maintained that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on the symbiotic relationship between its educational institutions and industrial sector.
She stated that there are several researchers in the universities and research institutes who are ready to show the government how to pave the way towards sustainable growth and self-reliance.
3 Comments
Well developed maam more energy and strength God bless
A great submission you have made ma. The enabling environment must be created for its success.
Thanks. so much for this opportunity given on this plat form for people to make inputs on burning issues that has the capacity to change our narrative as a Nation for greatness.
The call by The Former APWEN PRESIDENT Mrs ELIZABETH needs to be given urgent attention. WE NEED PEOPLE WHO CAN CHANGE THE PRESENT DARK CLOUD HOVERING OVER OUR NATION . During her tenure, it was full of great testimonies ,Let us use people who know the way to take the lead. Let’s put politics aside and get talented Nigerians who are ready to take Nigeria to the next Level.
I will appeal to Our President , His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has a listening ear to invite this gift to our Nation Nigeria , the immediate past President Prof
Mrs Elizabeth of the Federal University of Technology Mina Niger State for a dialogue.