Tapping into diaspora’s tech expertise

 It’s no longer news that Nigerians are the most educated immigrants in the United States of America. They are more educated than Asian immigrants (from China, Korea, Japan, India) as well as the white immigrants, who are currently the majority in the U.S. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau states that 4% of Nigerians hold […]

 It’s no longer news that Nigerians are the most educated immigrants in the United States of America. They are more educated than Asian immigrants (from China, Korea, Japan, India) as well as the white immigrants, who are currently the majority in the U.S. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau states that 4% of Nigerians hold the Ph.D. degree compared to 1% of the general US population. Also, 17% of Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. (8% for whites) hold the master’s degree and 37% (19% for whites), the bachelor’s degree. Asians come closer to the Nigerians, with 12 percent earning master’s degrees and 3 percent, the doctorates. These data, of course, are based on the relative populations of the racial groups.

A part of the success of Nigerians in America today can be traced to the superior education that people in my age group received in Nigeria in our formative and college (university) years, which enabled us to excel subsequently anywhere. The foundation also helps us to provide appropriate role models for our children. For example, it is almost an aberration to find children born to Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. not attending college. Thus, the data reported by the Census Bureau are probably on the conservative side for Nigerians. Note that even Nigerians in the diaspora whose parents haven’t attended college are still expected to receive top-notch education wherever they may be. It’s a simple fact that Nigerians in the diaspora teach their children the value of hard work.

With the foregoing, an obvious question comes to mind, which is: “Why hasn’t the success in the diaspora translated into a much more developed and organized system in the motherland?” It is well known that the Jews in America, who control a disproportional amount of the wealth in that country, are able to help Israel politically, and also by direct infusion of cash and knowhow. Why can’t Nigerians in the diaspora be as effective?

To be sure, the current educational system in Nigeria has issues. For example, in the faculties of engineering in Nigerian colleges, instructors are heavy on theoretical treatments, as opposed to delivery that would enable the students put into practice the things they have learned. Of grave concern is the lack of laboratory facilities. Some of the reasons for the ineffectiveness of the diaspora are quite transparent to me first-hand, because I have attempted to share some of the knowledge acquired from over 36 years in the U.S. Some of the reasons are itemized below.

Corruption: This is a huge component of the problems that the diaspora face when they attempt to operate back home. That is, you have to “play ball,” otherwise you are out of most biddings. So, if you are good and don’t want to bribe, you are out. Contracts may become unprofitable for the contractor, if the contract is not inflated.

Lack of project continuity: When the head of an MDA or an institution is replaced, the projects he initiated are usually killed by the new head, irrespective of how effective the contractor might have been. This is also traceable to corruption in the sense that in some cases the canceled projects are re-awarded to a new contractor who may actually not be as qualified as the deposed contractor.

Nepotism: Appointments that are made on the basis of tribal affiliations may prevent the right diaspora from contributing their share to the development of the motherland.

MDAs do not pay on time: If you have worked for the U.S. government as a contractor, it will be hard for you to operate in Nigeria. If your payment term is Net 30 Days for a U.S. government contract, you know you will get paid in, or before, 30 days. On the other hand, Nigerian MDAs or universities don’t seem to have any concept of payment terms. In fact, it is quite common for them to not pay contractors for many years after a project might have been completed. There seems to be no accountability, moreover.

Sheer dishonesty: Some heads of MDAs and Nigerian institutions are extremely dishonest. They will never tell you the truth. This saps people’s energy and motivation.

Incompetent leaders: Somehow, people who are not qualified often get appointed to important positions in the MDAs. This is a no-no for tech advancement. Often, political appointments are bad appointments!

Emphasis on potential skill: I have heard people say something to the effect that if Nigerians in Nigeria are given the same opportunities as those in the diaspora, they too will perform. Even though this statement is true, awarding contracts based on potential skill set rather than the actual, is simply very absurd.

Universities are subpar: Incessant university closings due to strikes make it very difficult for the diaspora to collaborate. Also, many vice-chancellors are extremely corrupt, often putting themselves ahead of their schools.

As a final reason for why the diaspora don’t contribute much: In many MDAs or higher institutions, department directors want to hold on to what they have, no matter how bad; rather than letting new ideas and technologies flow in.