EDUCATION,
CAPACITY BUILDING
AND JOB CREATION
IT Innovations in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
Angela Makolo PhD
Olumide Longe PhD
Department of Computer Science
University of Ibadan
Ibadan, Nigeria
Silicon Valley in NIGERIA??
In the southern region of the San Francisco
in California.
 A home to many of the world's largest
technology corporations as well as
thousands of small startups.
 Conceived by Stanford University to
encourage companies to take student
projects to the market
Science=Technology=Innovation
TO CREATE WEALTH!
Why Not Silicon Valley in Nigeria?
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2
WHO IS THIS??
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Knowledge Systems
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds
and organizes knowledge in the form of
testable explanations and predictions about the
universe
Technology applies that knowledge to
resources to serve societal needs.
Information technology is the application of
computers and telecommunications equipment
to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data
Science Vs Technology
Science Vs Technology
Facet of Technology
Knowledge from
Experimental Science
Tools
Processes
InnovationS
To servE HUMANITY
Historical Perspective of IT in Nigerian Universities
BEFORE
 Computer Science was under mathematics
 Computer Centers were in vogue- punch your
programs to punch card slot into the big mainframe
computers
 Programing languages like RPG, COBOL, PASCAL –
procedural languages
NOW
 Explosion of Laptops, ipads
 Object and Service oriented programming- Students
learn java, python, c++, C#
 Cloud computing
 The ist source of information is no longer a book but
google!!
 E-learning platforms – paradigm shift
Information Technology in Education
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E-learning- online lectures, learning management systems
Interactive boards replace black boards
Remote lectures and seminars &Video conferencing
Paradigm shift- Email project from students
Social media for discussing assignment and posting
problems
◦ IT innovations has made teaching and learning easier
◦ No excuse not to create wealth!!
Information Technology Tools For
Learning
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=ICT
GPRS
Smartphones
Computer (ENIAC), 1940’s
DELL Laptop 1990’s
DEC PDP 1970’s
I-Pad of 2006 to now
DEC LSI-11, Early 1980’s
Google – glasses Launched Oct 2012a computer, offer video conferencing
while walking, automatic video
All These computers are functionally equivalent.
Trends in Digital Storage Devices
Punch Cards 1940 to 1980’s- information is punched into the cards and fed into the computer
CD
Floppy Drives of the 90’s
CD and Flash of today
Information Technology innovations .....
◦ IT innovations are here with us, they have
come to stay
◦ We have to embrace them radically to
create Wealth for our beloved country
◦ We can have our silicon valley in Nigeria!
◦ Dr Longe will continue by telling us how
We can have our silicon valley
too in Nigeria!
Innovations respond to human
needs and economic
conditions.
Inventors, investors, and researchers put
synergistic efforts together into solving
burning problems – these scenario drives
innovations.
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No Silver Bullet
Rarely is the same technological solution optimal
for everyone and for everything. God can do many
things but He does not do EVERYTHING – at least
he doesn’t lie
The value of any innovation depends on socioeconomic, climatic and ecological specifics.
The establishment of an innovative capability starts
with a buildup of capacity to support and adopt
innovations and new technologies
Information Technology Adaptation
and Appropriateness
Important innovative information technology
activities adapt technological solutions to
specific conditions.
This is what the Higher Institutions of Learning in
Nigeria need to do in teaching, learning, research
activities, community services and character
building objectives.
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Induced Innovations – a survey
 Labor shortages led to mechanized
equipment.
 Drought conditions led to improved
irrigation.
 Energy crises led to higher efficiency cars.
 Farmers’ cooperatives were established
during periods of excessive low farm prices.
 Environmental regulations trigger cleaner
technologies.
 A tax on carbon will lead to improved
cooking equipment and power plants.
.
The teeming youths in our nations' higher institution of learning
are usually users of IT Devices and Services. These scenario is
yet to Trigger Innovative Developments. These challenges
should lead to the following:
* The development of Innovative curriculum in our schools that
addresses societal challenges.
* Policy formulation that drives research to solve problems
* Change in thinking and attitude that will reposition our
nation’s higher institution of learning and schools to solution
centres that impact positively on the society thus creating a
paradigm shift.
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Mediocrity Must be
addressed
We must stop building mental blocks and barriers across
generations. Respect MUST not translate to fear so the
younger generation can learn from the older generation
 We must produce graduates that are both functionally and
operationally literate
 We MUST STOP PARTITIONING PEOPLE and graduates
courses, and schools in our nations higher institution of
learning – everyone must work together to advance forward.
Diversity must be encouraged.
 We must create heroes in our schools and hero spirit in our
students – not repressive individuals – America did this with
the movie industry after the great depression.
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Culture + Technology
• Without a committed culture it is
difficult for technology to succeed
• Without dedicated technology only the
most extraordinary culture can succeed
Culture is a big hurdle to be crossed before we
can make the most of information technology
Excellence must translate from being a
Character to a HABIT – it must become a culture
The Growth Gravitation
Context
Independence
Wisdom
Understanding
Principles
Knowledge
Understanding
Patterns
Information
Understanding
Relations
Data
It has been a priviledge speaking at the
CPN IT Assembly –
We thank you all.
God bless Our Profession
God Bless Nigeria (Amen)