Research and Development

 Policy Statement 

IT Research and Development will be used for sustainability, leap-froging and competitiveness. 

 Objectives 

1. To ensure Nigeria's contribution to IT development and her competitiveness in the international market.

2. To guarantee sustainability of IT in Nigeria and use it to stimulate industrial growth.

3. To promote self-reliance and export of IT products and services.

4. To encourage joint R & D efforts between the private sector and the universities such as software development.

5. To identify key technological areas as well as others and provide fiscal support and incentives to encourage local technology development.

6. To encourage transfer of technology through exchange of visits between expatriate IT experts and Nigerian IT experts in Diaspora on one hand and IT institutions and experts in Nigeria. Funding to be coordinated via NITDEF.

 

             Strategies

1. Developing local expertise and resources through adaptation.

2. Developing market-oriented software for local market and export.

3. Cultivating/upgrading the maintenance culture. 

4. Developing low cost PCs, solutions, services and accessories in order to increase PC accessibility to at least 30% of the populace by year 2003.

5. Encouraging and funding R & D in identified universities. Industries (including those in the oil sector) are to be encouraged to set up R & D centres at university level, through faculty chairs, matching grants and focused joint projects.

6. Requesting for research projects that will be made open to both research institutes and universities in order to select good and innovative projects for national development. 

7. Funding vacation or sabbatical; visits of expatriate IT experts and educationists in order to transfer knowledge and share their experiences.

8. Introducing "Innovative ideas" competitions, on countrywide basis covering all levels (from primary schools to tertiary institutions) and R & D centres to instil the spirit of innovation and excellence in our young professionals.

9. Stimulating growth of local IT industries through government patronage of local IT industries, products and services.

10. Establishing R & D institutions in IT in Abuja and in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria with clear mandate. States shall be encouraged to establish similar institutions, which are to be properly funded.