Nigeria Pursues Economic Sovereignty Through Technology Transfer and Capability Building

Nigeria is strategically redefining economic sovereignty, moving beyond mere protectionism to embrace "capability-building nationalism." This approach prioritizes strengthening the nation's domestic productive base to foster development and resilience in an era of global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions. The core idea is that nations unable to develop critical technologies remain vulnerable, making industrial self-reliance a strategic imperative.

Technology transfer is viewed as a crucial pathway to achieving this objective. However, the focus is not on simply importing equipment or signing agreements. Instead, the emphasis is on acquiring knowledge, building local expertise, fostering innovation ecosystems, and developing the human capital necessary for sustainable industrial growth. This nuanced understanding of technology transfer aims to transform Nigeria from a consumer of technology into a producer.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), established in 1992, plays a pivotal role in this strategy. NASENI is mandated to develop Nigeria's science, engineering, and technological infrastructure. The agency recognizes that past industrialization efforts, while achieving some success, often transferred ownership more easily than capability. Therefore, the current strategy involves deliberate investments in technological capabilities and productive enterprises.

Effective technology transfer is expected to yield significant benefits for Nigeria. It can help reverse the current dependence on imported machinery and industrial inputs, which strains foreign exchange reserves and exposes businesses to global shocks. By creating jobs, strengthening local supply chains, increasing productivity, and broadening the tax base, technology transfer can enhance national competitiveness and drive economic transformation. The ultimate goal is to build a robust domestic industrial sector capable of competing globally.