Shaping Nigeria's Technological Future with Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji's Vision

(L-R) Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji and Dr. Oludare Ogunlana

The world is moving fast, and science and technology, not natural resources, define the future. Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are shifting away from their traditional reliance on oil and gas. They are investing billions into artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and smart infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 outlines strategic goals prioritizing innovation over petroleum exports. These shifts are not symbolic. They reflect long-term plans to dominate the global innovation economy.

During my recent visit to Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, the Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), it became clear that Nigeria cannot afford to stand still. Dr. Raji leads a national effort to commercialize research, support indigenous technologies, and build sustainable enterprises through Technology Incubation Centres (TICs). His message was clear: Nigeria must lead the way in innovation or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing world.

The urgency grows when African leaders no longer travel abroad to request aid. When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House, he asked for access to crime-fighting technologies, not money. This shift in mindset reflects a broader understanding that technology, not charity, will determine the future. African governments must now act with clarity and purpose. Nigeria must rise to the occasion.

Our universities must be at the forefront of this transformation. Higher education in Nigeria must align its curricula with emerging fields like robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. According to the UNESCO Science Report, countries that invest heavily in STEM education are better equipped for sustainable development and economic resilience. Nigeria cannot continue producing graduates who are unprepared for the digital economy.

In my opinion, no nation will fund innovations that place its own industries at risk. The era of foreign dependency must end. The “America First” policy should motivate African nations to develop alternatives internally. Nigeria must diversify its economy, fund its R&D initiatives, and protect its intellectual property. NBTI is well-positioned to lead this charge by accelerating the commercialization of local innovations and linking inventors to investors.

Moreover, Nigeria should mobilize its diaspora. Many Nigerian professionals in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Europe possess skills that can advance national development. The government must create an enabling environment through tax incentives, infrastructure support, and legal protections to encourage their return. These experts can provide technical depth and facilitate rapid knowledge transfer to local institutions.

Africa’s future will not be shaped by oil, minerals, or foreign aid. It will be defined by our ability to innovate, commercialize, and own the technologies of tomorrow. Nigeria must lead by example. The time to act is now.

Dr. Oludare Ogunlana is a distinguished cybersecurity expert and the Founder and Principal Consultant at ÒGÚN Security Research and Strategic Consulting (OSRS).