Policy clarity, research funding key to unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential- Tech Expert, Aiyenitaju 

A tech expert and Quality Assurance Engineer at QAVICOLA Limited, Oladapo Aiyenitaju, has said that government-backed research grants should be transparent, accessible, and tied to real world challenges. In this media interview, AIYENITAJU, who specializes in system reliability, risk analysis, and enterprise scale digital solutions, bears his mind on the challenges engineers face in research, how government could address the challenges, how the country could nurture tech talents and other issues. Excerpts 

What are the challenges engineers face in research? And how do you think government can assist in addressing the challenges ?

From my experience, the biggest challenge engineers face in research is not a lack of intelligence or creativity. It is the absence of structured, long term support systems. Engineers naturally want to solve problems. We are wired to improve systems, optimize processes, and build solutions. But meaningful research requires stability. It requires time, funding, access to data, and institutional backing.

One of the most powerful things government can do is create a research environment that encourages experimentation without fear of punishment. In many developing ecosystems, failure is treated as incompetence. In reality, failure is often a necessary step in innovation. Government backed research grants should be transparent, accessible, and tied to real world challenges. Not just theoretical outputs, but measurable impact.

Another important role government can play is acting as a bridge between academia and industry. In regulated sectors like banking and healthcare where I have worked, real innovation comes from real problems. When engineers are exposed to actual system constraints such as security requirements, scalability pressures, and data integrity challenges, research becomes more practical and impactful.

Do you think government policy can help in addressing research challenges?

Policy also plays a critical role. Engineers operate better when regulations are clear, stable, and predictable. If policies change abruptly or remain ambiguous, innovation slows down because engineers spend more time navigating uncertainty than building solutions. Governments that create clear digital policies, cybersecurity frameworks, and data protection laws give engineers the confidence to build responsibly.

Ultimately, engineers do not need inspiration. They need structure, access, and continuity.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized, but in reality it is discipline and endurance more than inspiration. Coming from a background in accounting and project finance before transitioning into technology, I learned very early that sustainability matters more than excitement.

Many people have brilliant ideas. The difference lies in execution. Execution requires consistency, systems, and the willingness to solve necessary but sometimes unglamorous problems. It requires waking up daily and improving the product, the process, or the service even when no one is applauding.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, I would advise starting with clarity. What specific problem are you solving. Who experiences this problem. What happens if the problem remains unsolved. When you deeply understand the problem, your solution becomes more practical and resilient.

I would also strongly emphasize building strong foundations early. In technology especially, scaling without structure can be dangerous. I have seen promising systems struggle because quality processes, documentation, or risk management were ignored. A product that works for ten users may collapse at one thousand if systems are not properly designed.

Finally, be adaptable. Careers evolve. Markets evolve. Technology evolves. The ability to learn continuously and pivot intelligently is more powerful than stubbornly clinging to a single idea. Long term success belongs to those who can adjust without losing direction.

It is believed that Nigeria is blessed with huge tech talents but not nurturing them. Do you think the country is developing enough tech talent to challenge the rest of the world?

Nigeria has exceptional raw talent. The resilience, creativity, and intellectual strength I have seen among Nigerian engineers are globally competitive. What we sometimes lack is not capability, but exposure.

Competing globally requires more than skill. It requires exposure to complex systems, international standards, and demanding environments. Working on high risk systems like banking and healthcare platforms forces engineers to think differently about compliance, documentation, scalability, and security.

Many Nigerian engineers are extremely capable, but they may not always have access to projects that stretch them to global operational standards. Mentorship also matters. Exposure to experienced professionals who have navigated international systems accelerates growth significantly.

The good news is that this gap is narrowing. Remote work, digital collaboration, and global freelancing have opened doors. Nigerian engineers are already contributing to international products and services. The next step is institutional support, stronger tech ecosystems, consistent infrastructure, and policy frameworks that encourage global competitiveness.

I genuinely believe Nigerian talent can compete. The question is whether we can build systems that consistently nurture and elevate that talent.

Do you think Africa lags in tech growth?

Africa does not lag because of a lack of intelligence or innovation. The issues are systemic rather than personal.

Infrastructure remains inconsistent in many regions. Power supply, internet reliability, and access to hardware all influence technological progress. Technology ecosystems thrive where foundational systems are stable.

Another challenge is policy inconsistency. Investors and engineers need predictability. When policies change abruptly or lack clarity, innovation slows down because planning becomes difficult.

Continuity is also crucial. Many promising initiatives begin with energy and enthusiasm but fade due to insufficient long term funding or strategic direction. Sustainable tech growth requires patient capital, mentorship networks, and regulatory support over time.

Risk culture is another factor. In some ecosystems failure is heavily penalized. Innovation requires experimentation. Some of the most advanced tech economies grew because they normalized failure as part of learning.

That said, Africa’s digital momentum is undeniable. Mobile technology adoption, fintech growth, and increasing international collaboration show that progress is happening. The focus now should be on transforming isolated success stories into strong, interconnected ecosystems.

What tech trends from other climes should Nigeria adopt to accelerate economic growth?

One major trend Nigeria can adopt is quality first engineering. In mature tech ecosystems, quality, security, and reliability are built into systems from the beginning. This reduces long term costs and increases trust. Especially in finance, healthcare, and government systems, quality is foundational.

Another important trend is long term investment in skills rather than short term tool adoption. Tools change rapidly. Strong fundamentals such as systems thinking, risk analysis, and documentation discipline remain valuable. Education programs should prioritize strong engineering principles, not just trending technologies.

Nigeria can also benefit from stronger public and private collaboration. When governments actively involve engineers in building digital public infrastructure such as tax systems, health platforms, and regulatory systems, innovation becomes embedded in governance.

Finally, embracing responsible AI development will be critical. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into global systems, countries that understand how to test, validate, and deploy AI responsibly will have competitive advantages.

Technology should not only create startups. It should strengthen institutions, improve efficiency, and build economic resilience.