Poor funding, electricity stunt Nigeria's technological development — OSUSTECH VC

Nigeria's technological and industrial growth is adversely affected by poor funding of universities and research institutions as well as unstable electricity.

The Vice Chancellor of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Professor Tolu Odugbemi, said this during a The Guardian interview.

Odugbemi, who is at the end of his five-year tenure as the head of the institution, said government has not provided adequate funding for technological development to take place.

"One of the major challenges of universities and research institutions in Nigeria has been poor, or lack of funding from governments at all levels," Odugbemi opined

"Most universities especially universities of technology require good funding to be able to make meaningful impact towards the technological advancement of the country."

He said institutions that should lead research are faced with the issue of unsteady electricity supply.

"Another one is the issue of unsteady electricity.

"A situation where universities and research institutes rely on generators to provide electricity and power vital research equipment does not augur well for industrial growth."

The don said the technological growth can only happen if these two problems are addressed.

"Therefore, for any meaningful development to take place, especially, technological breakthrough in the area of motorcar production, there must be effort in the direction of steady electricity, coupled with the improvement and funding of the steel sector of the economy."

He called for the utilization of the institution's research outputs by "governments and companies involved in the production of vital materials needed for industrial growth."

gathered that Odugbemi is a former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), an honorary degree awardee of the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom and a distinguished fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (DFMC).