A professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Samson Arekete, has canvassed the need for Nigeria to stop being a mere consumer of technology and start developing its own innovations to remain relevant in the modern world.
Speaking during the university’s 17th inaugural lecture, he warned that the country’s reliance on imported technology is limiting its progress, adding that computing is now the backbone of global development.
“The future belongs to those who control technology. If Nigeria does not invest in computing and innovation, we will continue to depend on other nations for progress,” he said.
His lecture, titled: “Human-Computer Partnership: A Cure or a Curse?”, examined the impact of computers on human productivity and how Nigeria can harness their power for national development.
Arekete stressed that computers have evolved into indispensable tools, boosting efficiency in fields like medicine, engineering, and finance. However, he argued that Nigeria is not maximizing the opportunities technology offers.
“We are quick to adopt foreign technologies, but we do not create our own. We should be producing software, building supercomputers, and developing artificial intelligence models, not just using what others have made,” he said.
He called on Redeemer’s University to establish a Faculty of Computing, in line with the National Universities Commission directive, emphasising that every forward-thinking institution must prioritize computing.
“In today’s world, every university should have a strong computing faculty. The demand for computing-related courses is growing, and universities must position themselves to meet this need,” he said.
Beyond education, he identified key obstacles hindering Nigeria’s technological advancement, including poor funding for research, lack of industry support, and unstable electricity supply.
“Innovation cannot thrive in an environment where researchers are underfunded, equipment is outdated, and power supply is unreliable. If we want to compete globally, we must fix these problems,” he stated.
He also criticized the brain drain in Nigeria, noting that many talented individuals leave the country for better opportunities abroad. He urged the government to reverse this trend by improving local institutions.
“Nigerians spend billions of naira on foreign education every year. That money, if invested in our universities, can transform the entire system. We need to retain our talents and attract international scholars instead,” he said.
Prof. Arekete further addressed the poor welfare of university lecturers, questioning why lawmakers earn significantly more than professors who train the nation’s workforce.
“A country that underpays its academics while over-rewarding politicians is not serious about development. Lecturers deserve better pay and working conditions,” he said.
The don also advised against the ongoing trend of converting polytechnics and colleges of education into universities, arguing that each institution has a distinct role in the education system.
“Not everyone needs a university degree. We need strong technical institutions to produce skilled workers. Instead of converting them, we should fund them properly,” he said.
He urged Nigeria to take full control of its technological future, warning that failure to do so would leave the country at the mercy of foreign nations.
“With computing, the world is at our fingertips. But if we do not act now, we will remain consumers while others control the future,” he said.