Research, technology transfer and socio-economic development in Nigeria: Some lessons from the Asian economies

Abstract

Like most developing countries Nigeria had made various efforts at acquiring foreign technology to drive the development processes in the country. While technology transfer efforts have been very successful in the Asian economies, especially in China, South Korea, India and Malaysia, it has not been successful in Nigeria. The difference in the level of success in the technological advancement between the Asian economies and Nigeria is in the approach or method adopted by the economies. While the Asian economies adopt the cram, copy or "steal" and replicate through intensive research to achieve innovation and patent rights, Nigeria adopt the traditional method of negotiated agreement of technology transfer with owners of technologies. The result is that whereas the Asian economies are making significant progress in acquiring technologies, Nigeria suffers deprivation in the acquisition of technology. The paper argues that Nigeria cannot acquire foreign technologies through negotiated agreements; therefore, if Nigeria must acquire technologies she must tow the line of the Asian economies. Also, it asserts that Nigeria must deliberately establish high-tech research institutions and invest significantly in the development of her human capital/resources. This is what the Asian economies have done differently.