RESEARCH AND INNOVATION : PANACEA TO

AFRICA`S ECONOMIC UNDERDEVELOPMENT

by

Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, FAAS, FASN,D.SC

Former Executive Secretary

National Universities Commission

BEING TEXT OF THE 12TH CONVOCATION LECTURE AT THE CONVENAT UNIVERSITY, OTA, OGUN STATE

THURSDAY 20th JULY, 2017 1

MAP OF AFRICA

2

KWAME NKRUMAH

3

KENNNETH KAUNDA

4

JULIUS NYERERE

5

PATRICE LUMUMBA

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AFRICA`S TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES BY

POPULATION

S/N COUNTRY POPULATION(Million)LAND AREA (Km

2)

Migrants (Net)

1 Nigeria 191.84 910,902 -60,000

2 Ethiopia 104.34 1,000,430 -12,000

3 Egypt 95.22 999.933 -43,136

4 DR Congo 82.24 2,265,639 -19,184

5 Tanzania 56.88 885,943 -40,000

6 South Africa 55.44 1,213,049 120,000

7 Kenya 48.47 568,861 -10,000

8 Sudan 42.65 199,774 -30,000

9 Uganda 41.65 199,774 -30,000

10 Algeria 41.06 2,387,428 -28,000

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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI)

Composite statistics of life expectancy ; Education: Mean years of

Schooling, and income per capita

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Trends in Human Development Index (HDI) in Selected Countries

(2010 – 2014)

HD I Rank (188 countries)

Country 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Very High Human Development

1 Norway 0.940 0.941 0.942 0.942 0.944 2 Australia 0.927 0.930 0.932 0.933 0.935

8 United States 0.909 0.911 0.912 0.913 0.915

14 United Kingdom 0.906 0.901 0.901 0.902 0.907

39 Saudi Arabia 0.805 0.816 0.826 0.836 0.837

High Human Development

50 Russian Federation

0.783 0.790 0.795 0.797 0.798

57 Barbados 0.780 0.786 0.793 0.785 0.785

62 Malaysia 0.769 0.772 0.774 0.777 0.779

83 Algeria 0.725 0.730 0.732 0.734 0.736

96 Tunisia 0.714 0.715 0.719 0.720 0.721

Medium Human Development 106 Botswana 0.681 0.688 0.691 0.696 0.698

108 Egypt 0.681 0.682 0.688 0.689 0.690

116 South Africa 0.643 0.651 0.659 0.663 0.666

130 India 0.586 0.597 0.600 0.604 0.609

140 Ghana 0.554 0.566 0.572 0.577 0.579

Low Human Development

145 Kenya 0.529 0.535 0.539 0.544 0.548 147 Pakistan 0.522 0.527 0.532 0.536 0.538

152 Nigeria 0.493 0.499 0.505 0.510 0.514

163 Haiti 0.471 0.475 0.479 0.481 0.483

186 Eritrea 0.381 0.386 0.390 0.390 0.391

188 Niger 0.326 0.333 0342 0.345 0.348

GLOBAL COMPETITIVE INDEX

❖ Initiative of World Economic Forum

❖ The GCI is a set of institutions, policies and factors thatdetermine the level of productivity of a country, condition ofpublic institutions and technical conditions

❖ 12 Pillars of Competitiveness

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12 PILLARS OF COMPETITIVENESS

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11

Basic

Requirements

Efficiency Enhancers Innovation and

Sophistication Factors

1. Institutions Higher Education and

Training

Business Sophistication

2. Infrastructure Goods Market Efficiency Research and

Development Innovation

3. Macro-Economic

Environment

Labour Market Efficiency

4. Health and Primary

Education

Financial Market

Development

5.

Technological Readiness

6. Market size

GCI 2015 Ranking

COUNTRY SWITZERL

AND

SINGAPO

RE

NORWAY CHILE MAURITI

US

SOUTH

AFRICA

BRAZIL NIGERIA

Population

(Million)

8.0 5.4 5.1 17.6 1.3 53.0 202.8 169.3

GDP ($Billion) 650.8 295.7 511.3 277 11.9 350.8 235.30 286.5

GDP Per

Capita ($)

81,323.96 56.775 100,318.32 15,775 9,159.68 6,620.72 11,604 1,692.26

Health and

Primary

Education (Of

7)

6.5 6.7 6.5 5.6 6.1 4.0 5.1 3.0s

Higher

Education and

Training (Of 7)

6.0 6.2 5.8 5.0 4.6 4.0 3.8 2.9

Labour Market

Efficiency (Of

7)

5.8 5.7 5.1 4.3 4.3 3.8 3.7 4.5

GCI Overall

Score

5.76 5.68 5.4 4.58 4.43 4.4 4.1 3.4

GCI Position 1st 2nd 11th 35th 46th 56th 75th 124th

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15

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Number of Public and Private schools

WEBOMETRIC RANKING OF WORLD

UNIVERSITIES 2012AFRICA WORLD UNIVERSITY PRESENCE RANK IMPACT RANK OPENNESS RANK EXCELLENCE RANK

16 1335 University of Ibadan 3446 1302 1612 1715

24 1788 Convenant University, Ota 1662 1621 1943 2685

30 1986 Obafemi Awolowo University 1276 2542 2519 2534

54 2613 University of Lagos 2005 6118 2329 2521

56 2652 University of Nigeria 2986 5817 1424 2805

63 2840 University of Port Harcourt 611 5817 1529 3339

68 2914 University of Agriculture Abeokuta 2854 5429 2480 3125

70 2985 University of Ilorin 5467 6332 2110 2941

75 3049 Ahnadu Bello University 4180 8499 2557 2546

82 3214 Federal University of Technology Owerri 14969 2447 4016 3860

98 3507 Federal University of Technology Akure 4814 9897 3087 2894

99 3513 Federal University of Technology Minna 10700 7827 2915 3125

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RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND THEIR

MANDATES

S/NO. Name Mandate

1. Nigerian Institute for Oil

Palm Research (NIFOR)

➢ To conduct research into the production and

products of oil palm and other palms of economic

importance and transfer its research findings to

farmers.

2. Forestry Research Institute

of Nigeria (FRIN)

➢ Mandate to conduct research into all aspects of

forestry and forest products utilization. Mandate

extended to include research in wildlife, watershed

management and agroforestry.

3. Cocoa Research Institute of

Nigeria (CRIN)

➢ Researches are focused on Cocoa, Kola, Cashew,

Coffee and Tea.

➢ Improvement of the genetic potential, agronomic

and husbandry practices, including processing and

storage of the crops.

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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND THEIR

MANDATES

S/NO. Name Mandate

4. National Agricultural

Extension and Research

Liaison Services (NAERLS)

➢ The Institute is responsible for development,

collation, evaluation and dissemination of proven

agricultural innovations and to research on

extension methodologies and policy. in rural life

and linkages.

5. Institute of Agricultural

Research and Training

(IAR&T), Ibadan

➢ Research into maize, kenaf, jute, soil & watermanagement: and

➢ Total farming systems for the Ecological zonescovered by Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti,Edo and Delta States

6. Rubber Research Institute

of Nigeria (RRIN), Benin

City

➢ Research into the genetic improvement,

production and processing of rubber and other

latex producing plants. 23

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND THEIR

MANDATES

S/NO. Name ss

1. National Institute for Chemical

Technology (NARICT)

➢ Mandate to develop the technologies required by

the Chemicals industry.

➢ Research into the conversion of agricultural,

mineral and other raw materials into chemicals.

2. National Centre for Technology

Management (NACETEM)

➢ Mandate as a training Centre for the development

of middle to high level manpower in science,

technology and innovation management to all

tiers of government and the private sector.

3. Institute of Agricultural Research and

Training (IART)

➢ The Institute conducts research on various cereals

and legumes e.g. maize, jutes, Keraf and sisal

hemp, soil and fertilizer use.

4. Institute of Agricultural Research and

Extension Services (IAR)

➢ Has the mandate of researching into the genetic

improvement of sorghum, cowpea, cotton,

groundnut and sunflow.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND THEIR

MANDATES

S/NO. Name Mandate

5. National Agricultural Extension

Research and Liaison Services

➢ Key mandate of the institution are:

Planning and coordination of agricultural

extension.

➢ Promotion of dissemination of agricultural

research results and technologies.

6. National Animal Production

Research Institute (NAPRI)

➢ Has a broad mandate of conducting applied

research on food animal species as well as

forage and to develop appropriate

technologies in breeding and reproduction.

7. National Horticultural Research

Institute (NIHORT)

➢ Conducts research into fruits, vegetables,

their processing, preservation and

development of indigenous ornamentals.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND THEIR

MANDATES

S/NO. Name Mandate

1. Nigerian Institute of Medical Research

(NIMR)

➢ To conduct research into communicable

diseases of public health importance in the

country, non- communicable diseases

prevalent in the country.

2. Institute of Child Health (ICH) ➢ Conducts research in collaboration with many

local and international institutions on child

health related enquiries.

3. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical

Research and Development (NIPRD)

➢ Mandated to carry out research and

development of drugs and pharmaceutical

substances from locally available natural

resources;26

MEDICAL RESEARCH INTITUTES

Universities and research institutes have always had

collaborative research (symbiotic);

It has also encouraged the share of resources, staff

and materials;

There is always a free flow of staff from institutes to

universities and vice versa.27

RESEARCH CONT’D

INNOVATION

28

“...the process of making changes to something established by introducing something new.”

“…radical or incremental changes to products, processes or services.”

INNOVATION CONT’D

Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is tothink that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow. -William Pollard

One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your wayout. - Jeff Bezos

But innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways orcalling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because theyrealized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking abouta problem. - Steve Jobs

29

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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The capacity, willingness to develop, organise and manage

a business venture along with any of its risks in order to

make profits…

The entrepreneurial spirit is characterised by Innovation

and risk taking.

ALIKO DANGOTE

31

FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA

32

WHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Unemployment:A serious shortage of employment opportunities;

Choice: Enables the youth to choose his own clients and projects;

Novelty: Offers him the chance to be challenged in new ways;

Autonomy: Enables him to set his own schedule and make the rules;

Provides him an opportunity to work collaboratively with business partners;

Gives him a sense of pride and self accomplishment; and

Allows him to reap the benefits of his own creative ideas.

33

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONT’D

ENTRENCHMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NIGERIAN

UNIVERSITIES

The National Council on Education (NCE) during its 53rd meeting in

calabar (2006):

o Tertiary Education Supervisory Agencies to produce appropriate guide

and training manuals for the teaching of Entrepreneurship;

o Presidential Directive to introduce Entrepreneurship Education. 34

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONT’D

ENTRENCHMENT PROCESS

Implementation Committee on Entrenchment of

Entrepreneurship Education in all Nigerian Universities

(ICEEENU);

o EEd General Studies and B. Sc. (Entrepreneurial Studies).

In 2012, all State-owned universities were given a grant to

establish functional Entrepreneurship Development Centres.35

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONT’D

ANNUAL NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

(ANEW)

A one week series of events to be run annually;

Stakeholders: Industry practitioners, Professional bodies, Academics

and Students to enhance the development of knowledge-based

enterprises (social and for profit);

Promotes vibrant and informed entrepreneurs to transform their

environment/community through creativity and/or innovative ideas.

36

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONT’D

NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESOURCE AND

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE (NERKC)

NERKC empowers students and graduates with entrepreneurial

knowledge and skills for self-employment, economic independence

and social security;

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was jointly signed between

the Knowledge Institute (KI), Exeter (USA), AIA Global and NUC on

the 8th of December, 2015 with the commitment to work as partners

for the development of NERKC project.37

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONT’D

The NERKC Programs and content include:

✓ Virtual incubator/Accelerator/Resources Network;

✓ Virtual Entrepreneurial Learning Center (VELC) for

e-learning/self-learning programs and certifications;

✓ Resource portals to support faculty and students of participating HEIs;

✓ Resource portals to support youths and other stakeholders in

entrepreneurship development; and

✓ Virtual forums/chat-rooms to facilitate inter-student and other stakeholder

information sharing38

AFRICA CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE (ACE)

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Nigerian Beneficiary Institutions of the Africa Centres of

Excellence (ACE)

S/N Africa Centre of Excellence Lead Institution and Country Discipline

1. ACE for Agricultural Development and Sustainable

Environment

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Agriculture

2. ACE for Dryland Agriculture Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Agriculture

3. ACE for Food Technology and Research

Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria

Agriculture

4. ACE for Genomics of Infectious Diseases

Redeemer’s University, Ede Nigeria

Health

5. ACE for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic

Biotechnology

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Health

6. ACE for Phytomedicine and Development

University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria Health

7. ACE for Reproductive Health and Innovation

University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria

Health

8. ACE for Materials African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

STEM

9. ACE for Oil Field Chemicals University of Port-Harcourt,

Nigeria

STEM

10. ACE for Science, Technology and Knowledge

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

STEM

REFORM

To make changes or alter in order to improve an institution or a

practice by removing or correcting faults, defects and /or

problems;

Tools for reform: Policies, Laws, Sanctions. 40

REFORM EFFORTS

Policy on University Education

✓ University research shall be relevant to the nation’s

developmental goals;

✓ Inculcation of community spirit in the students through projects

and actionable researches; and

✓ Allocation of not less than 60% of the places to science in

conventional universities and not less than 80% in the

Universities of Technology and Agriculture.41

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE

➢ Policy and research endeavors should address national needs;

➢ Universities should develop robust research policies to encourage

good research culture;

➢ Collaborative research (symbiotic);

➢ Leveraging ICT to bridge the gaps in research and learning;

➢ Support ongoing effort towards the establishment of a national

science plan and national science foundation;42

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE

43

➢ The need for efficient data capture and collation for planning and

prioritizing;

➢ Private sector involvement in the development and operation of

entrepreneurial centres & research clusters;

➢ Opportunities for internship position;

➢ Aadequate funding, monitoring to ensure sustainability of research efforts;

and

➢ Funding ! Funding!! Funding!!!

AREAS THAT NEED RESEARCH, INNOVATION

AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

✓ Agriculture;

✓ Biotechnology Research;

✓ Health;

✓ Energy;

✓ Nanotechnology;

✓ Water Resources;

✓ Mines and Materials development;

✓ Information and Communication Technology (ICT);

✓ Raw Materials and Manufacturing; and

✓ Industrial Research, Development and Production 44

We can not prepare the future for our children

but we can prepare our children for the future.

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ON WINGS OF EAGLES

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ON WINGS OF EAGLESOn Wings of Eagles

The break of dawn, the start of day,

An eagle flies, pursues its prey,

With wings outstretched and talons primed,

It won’t be stopped, it won’t be stayed

A ray of sunshine hits its beak,

A steely glare, no sign of “meek”,

Its feathers bright and fully preened,

The force of all its strength is seen

It soars above the hill and dale,

With a confidence that says “I cannot fail”,

This magnificent bird of prey says

“I am the king of birds. I rule the skies”

So ride on the winds of destiny

And write your page of history

Oluwatosin Thomas Okojie 2017

47

REFERENCES

Africa Union (AU) Report 2014

Federal Ministry of Education Unpublished Report 2010

Natural History of Africa 2015

Okojie J.A and Okali D.U.U (1993) Lost Crops of Nigeria: Implications for food security.

Conference Proceedings series No 3 University of Agriculture Abeokuta

Okojie J.A. (1994) Once upon a forest: A master piece of creation UNAAB INAUGURAL

Lecture Series No 1

The National Council on Education (NCE) Report, Calabar 2006

United Nation Development Programme(UNDP) Report 2015

Webometric Ranking of World Universities 2012

World Economic Forum 2014 -2015 48

Thank you and God Bless

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