Written evidence submitted by Mr Joe Chiedu Ochei (CEO at SeLoch Energy Ltd) (IRN0009)
WRITTEN EVIDENCE FOR SUBSEQUENT FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE PRIORITIES FOR OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SPENDING
RE: EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AID AND INVESTMENT IN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTORS IN NIGERIA
SUMMARY
There are several emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria. The potential for increased strategic alliance between the UK and Nigeria to develop Nigeria’s science and technological sector remains viable and mutually beneficial to both parties as there exists emergingg opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technological sectors in Nigeria. Some of the highlights of this written evidence are:
BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT JOE C. OCHEI
Mr Joe Ochei is the founder and CEO of Seloch Energy limited based in Aberdeen. He has an array of extensive experience in Oil, Gas and Energy industries of which one of the most notable experience is as a Petroleum production engineer with Shell Production Development Company (SPDC).
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (Honours) in Petroleum Engineering and a Master of Science Degreee in Management. Joe actively projects Aberdeen city as the Energy city Hub in the United Kingdom and considers the growing trade relationship between the UK and Nigeria to be mutually beneficial to both countries. Joe has a wealth of local and international energy experience and has worked in various management capacities. Joe is also a green energy enthusiats and investment advisor. Joe is actively championing Africa trade collaboration with the UK in the area of renewable energy and skills development and training.
I am providing this written evidence as my contribution to deepening the existing relationship between the UK and Nigeria. Also to identify key areas for aid and investment (especially in areas such as renewable energy, education, health care, agro industries and training), that will have positive impact for both the UK and Nigeria.
FACTUAL INFORMATION
The following are key information sources where factual infirmation on emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria can be obtained:
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), NACETEM, The Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis (NITR), Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), NACETEM, Nigeria’s National Innovation System (NIS), National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBBRI), Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Federal Institute of Food and Industrial Research (FIIRO), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Federal Ministry of education and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are recommendations to guide subsequent foreign commonwealth and development office priorities for official development assistance spending with regards to emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Nigeria’s science and technological advancement is hinged on efforts of its stakeholders and they include scientist, engineers and technologist, international cooperation and government support (OSGF, 2021). The UK remains a vital partner in order for Nigeria to achieve Nigeria’s vision and goals for science and technological advancement with regards to international cooperation and assistance. As disruptions and advancements occur globally in certain critical areas of science and technology related industries, Nigeria becomes an important destination and potential beneficiary for emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors. This due to the fact that Nigeria is lagging behing in terms of current global science and technological advancement and there is an existing growing demand for science and technological services and products for local utility.
This written evidence attempts to highlight some of the key emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria.
2.0 ABOUT NIGERIA’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTORS
Nigeria’s science and technology sectors are vital sectors under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Nigeria. The science and technology sectors are supervised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. The current Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu who assumed office on November 11, 2015 on the appointment of Nigerian’s President Muhamadu Buhari.
According to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) (2021), Nigeria produced her first National Science and Technology Policy in 1986 and the policy was revised in 1997 and other subsequent years in order for coordination and management of the science and technology systems, sectoral developments, collaboration and funding to be given priority.
Science and technology are important catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth and survival. Science and technology play an important role in Nigeria’s petroleum, agriculture, security, mining and health industries. Also, Nigeria relies on imported technological and scientific knowledge in the various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy. Due to the dependance on foreign technological and scientific knowledge, Nigeria’s science and technology sectors can be characterized as emerging and there are emerging opportunities in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria.
2.1 EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AID AND INVESTMENT IN THE SCIENCE SECTOR IN NIGERIA
The following are key areas where emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science sector in Nigeria exists:
2.1.1 HOW SHOULD THE FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (FCDO) ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN THE SCIENCE SECTOR IN NIGERIA
Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can encourage investment in the science sector in Nigeria in the following ways and in key priority areas:
2.1.2 STATES THAT MAY BE STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND COMPETITORS IN THE UK’S POLICY TOWARDS NIGERIA IN THE SCIENCE SECTOR
The following are the states that may be strategic partners and competitors in the UK’s policy towards Nigeria in the science sector in priority science areas:
2.2 EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AID AND INVESTMENT IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s technology sector is growing and rapidly advancing despite also trailing its global counterprart in certain key areas. The following are key areas where emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the technology sector in Nigeria exists:
2.2.1 HOW SHOULD THE FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (FCDO) ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN NIGERIA
Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can encourage investment in the technology sector in Nigeria in the following ways and in key priority areas:
2.2.2 STATES THAT MAY BE STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND COMPETITORS IN THE UK’S POLICY TOWARDS NIGERIA IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
The following are the states that may be strategic partners and competitors in the UK’s policy towards Nigeria in the technology sector in priority technology areas:
3.0 CONCLUSION
There are several emerging opportunities for aid and investment in the science and technology sectors in Nigeria. Some of such opportunities exist in the area of agricultural development, development of natural medicine resources and technologies for the health sector, development of Bio-medical sciences, renewable energy, Space technology, ICT, creation of technology infrastructure, education and training for science and technology personnel.
Strategic partners and competitors in the UK’s policy towards Nigeria in the science and technology sectors are the USA, China, Russia and other African countries. Increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria’s science and technology sector , adopting favourable scientific and technological transfer policies and encouraging technology transfer in key areas in Nigeria’s science and technology sectors are key strategic steps to be taken by the FCDO harness the growing emergingg opportunities in Nigeria’s science and technology sectors.
4.0 REFERENCES
Adunwoke, P. & Madubuike, O. (June, 2021). U.S. consulate, minister calls for collaboration in advancing arts in medicine. The Guardian.
Gupta, J.N., & Sharma, S.K. (2003). Globalization and information Strategy, 475-487.
Shaaban, M., & Petinrin, J.O. (2014). Renewable energy potentials in Nigeria: Meeting rural energy needs.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 29, 72-84.
United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria (2021). U.S. Mission Proudly Supports the Virtual Nigeria Tech Summit.
Way, T. (2020). Challenges and opportunities of Nigeria’s space program. Aerospace.
June 2021