The gap between inventing and producing machines in Nigeria has long been a challenge. Many young inventors showcased their genius on television shows like Newsline, but their innovations rarely made it to production. One such inventor built a car from scrap metal, while another created a plough or helicopter. However, their stories often ended with applause and failed promises of support. The inventor of a scrap-metal car or a plough may have had the creativity, but lacked the resources and guidance to turn their ideas into products.
The next wave of artificial intelligence is expected to be physical, with machines that sense, decide, and act in the real world. Nigeria needs functional machines that address its everyday problems, rather than just showcasing autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. A simple example is a solar compressor that can be used by vulcanizers, which can be equipped with a sensor to stop at the right tire pressure, making it a basic form of physical AI. This machine can significantly reduce the cost of running a vulcanizing business.
Several Nigerian companies are already making strides in physical AI. Zipline drones, built in America, serve over 1,300 health facilities and about six million people in three Nigerian states and parts of Africa. TerraHaptix, a Nigerian-led company, recently raised $52 million to build drones and other physical AI for security. Koolboks rents solar-powered refrigerators to traders, while PowerStove makes smokeless stoves that generate their own electricity and track usage. These companies have successfully created business models that go beyond just building machines.
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, has established a network of university innovation pods across the six geo-political zones. These hubs aim to support inventors and entrepreneurs in developing their ideas. However, the focus should not only be on providing infrastructure but also on creating an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into products. This includes providing mentorship, funding, and market access.
To bridge the gap between invention and production, innovation hubs must be proactive in searching for inventors and entrepreneurs in workshops, markets, and laboratories. They must operate continuously, unaffected by strikes and semester calendars, and be led by individuals with experience in building businesses and products. Polytechnics, where hands-on engineering is emphasized, should be at the center of this initiative. By focusing on practical skills and real-world applications, these hubs can help turn ideas into products.
The traditional university model is facing a challenge in the age of AI. With generative AI becoming more prevalent, workers aged 22 to 25 in AI-exposed occupations have seen a 13% relative decline in employment. This highlights the need for universities to adapt and focus on providing students with practical skills and tacit knowledge that machines cannot replicate. In Nigeria, where an estimated 600,000 graduates enter the job market each year, universities must play a role in creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria looks to the future of AI, it is clear that physical machines will play a crucial role in solving everyday problems. To support this, innovation hubs must be established in various parts of the country, and universities must adapt to provide students with practical skills. The next young genius on television deserves more than just applause; they deserve a workshop, a partner, a mentor, and a market to turn their ideas into products. By taking a proactive approach, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its inventors and entrepreneurs.
Key points
- Nigeria needs to focus on creating functional machines that address everyday problems.
- Innovation hubs must be proactive in searching for inventors and entrepreneurs.
- Universities must adapt to provide students with practical skills and tacit knowledge.
