What happens when u have a nation full of people who want to be famous for doing worthless ish? We all know the best dancer, dresser, even the best housemate but who is the best engineer in Nigeria? The best Scientist? Best technician?”
The above were the words of Afrobeat sensation, Seun Kuti on his Instagram page, exactly on February 2022.
He’d shared a video of a Chinese man who explained how his country doesn’t reward people doing things like dancing on social media and other entertainment.
In the video, the man explained that the China algorithm rewards people involved in core things like medicine and Tech because the country wants the next generation of youths to do things that will be beneficial to society.
Seun commented further on the video by advising Nigerian youths to focus on things that add value to them in the country. He explained that Nigeria is a country where many people want to gain fame for doing worthless things. He added that “we know the best-dressed celebrity in Nigeria, best housemate, dancer etc but Nigerians do not know the best doctor or engineer because the talent in those areas is not fully harnessed.”
The above is not a new discussion among the Nigerian engineering and science communities who often frown at the excessive sponsorship of the entertainment, sports and comedies ahead of life changing professions such as medicine, engineering and science.
There is no doubting the fact that a nation that invest in science and technology will record comparative advantage ahead of its competitors. Even the entertainment industry, sports and arts are where they are today because of the advancement of technology which has made their works easier and more profitable. From Branding to marketing and copyrights protection, technology have played big roles in entertainment industry.
Every year, we witness many competitions heralding next big project in creative industry. One of such is the Big Brother Naija where the winner going home with a total package of 100m Naira.
In Nigeria, creative industry is often associated only with entertainment and not other spheres of influences such as architecture, design etc. It refers to a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information
A nation where sole role models are entertainers and comedians, skit makers, is a nation that has gambled with its future.
While I am going to say that these are not blame of the sponsors of those events, as they all came out to sponsor what they believe will serve their commercial interest, i am of view that the well meaning professionals and companies science, engineering and STEM industry could have done more to support the sector’s growth.
There are many successful people whose companies are into engineering, science and medicine. While we frown at the money pouring into the entertainment and sports, we have to ask ourselves questions. “Where are the successful men and women in science and technology? Why are the companies not coming forward to support STEM programmes and young people in STEM career beyond giving them paltry sum and award plaque for their efforts?”
As I write this, I can see that we can do better than this. I am aware that companies like Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited is sponsoring annual Science prize. It is one of most commendable examples of how to uplift STEM careers and attract moire youths to the sector. The media, however, barely gave them the space worthy of such event by placing it in the obscure part of their papers.
Science and technology have made things easier and better . But to not invest heavily in discovering new talents in the sector is to leave the future in hands of the foreigners. We will simply turn our country into a dumping ground of technological products from other nations while paying heavily for it.
What can we do better?
I will go back to where we started. Seun Kuti has thrown a bigger challenge at us and his colleagues. As an entertainer, he has done well by speaking up on such crucial issues. The entertainment industry is needed. They have to recognise that development of science, engineering and medicine is important to their success. The sector command larger publicity and attention by the large segment of the population. So I will say that we need them to do us a favour!
What can they do? Produce contents that recognise scientists and engineers; lend hand to promotion of science and technology activities by leveraging on their social presence and influence on young people, and industries. Movie makers should also endeavour to integrate this in their messages. Nigerian movie makers are not very active in science related contents much less supporting it. I will look forward to a time they will produce such movies like “3 idiots” to tell a compelling story that also entertain.
So i will ask who will take up Seun Kuti’s Challenge? if we have responsible citizens, the answer will not be long in coming through actions.
My name is Isqil Najim