Inferiority complex causing Nigerians to over depend on foreign goods – ASUU President

President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, has said many Nigerians are suffering from inferiority complex, a situation that makes them too dependent on foreign things.

He said any country willing to make headway economically must make use of their ideas and deploy the strength of its citizens, which abound within the university system.

Osodoke bemoaned the situation in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research, TETFAIR, Showcase and Closing Event at Innov8 Technology Hub, Airport Road, Abuja.

He said the penchant for Nigerians to patronize foreign goods and services even when they can be sourced locally is alarming.

Osodeke, who was speaking against the backdrop of suspicion that the national budget may not enjoy 100 per cent implementation, observed that strangely, for the first time, the government decided to add TETFund’s budget to the national budget.

He stated that once TETFund’s budget is included in the national budget, “it is finished.”

While commending TETFund for the TETFAIR project, he assured that the men engaged in the scheme can solve Nigeria’s problems, stating that “we must come back home and use our ideas.”

Osodeke also warned against political interference in TETFund from authorities overseeing the ministry.

Commenting on the discrepancies associated with the IPPIS, he said, “In 2020 we were challenged to produce something better than IPPIS, it took us two months to produce it, UTA, which we have presented to National Assembly, to the House; then we said let’s test the twin and IPPIS came last; but Nigeria insisted on using IPPIS.

“Every year, the Nigerian government pays $40 to a company in UK for paying me salary and you reject the one in your university. You want to do anything you run abroad,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, said the fair was organised to support researchers in universities to bring their innovative ideas to fruition.

While reiterating the importance of Nigeria transiting to a knowledge-based economy, Echono stated that the world has moved from a resource rich economy to a knowledge-based one and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.

“TETFund, as the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Sector has deepened its intervention in content- based programmes. The Fund is making conscious investments in support of research, innovation and development as it remains the most compelling strategy for accelerating sustainable growth”.