Knowledge, Productivity, and Innovation in Nigeria : Creating a New Economy

by Radwan, Ismail; Pellegrini, Giulia

• ISBN13: 9780821381960
• ISBN10: 0821381962
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-12
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

Nigeria has a bold national vision of becoming one of the world's top 20 economies by 2020. However, despite being the 8th most populous country in the world, it ranks 41st in terms of GDP and 161st in terms of GDP per capita. Nigeria has long depended on oil for its exports and government revenues. This dependence has led to rent seeking and a reluctance to examine potential avenues for economic diversification. The authors of 'Knowledge, Productivity, and Innovation in Nigeria' believe that the goal of becoming a top-twenty economy can only be achieved if Nigeria makes the transition to a new economy rooted in the 21st century that harnesses the power of knowledge and avoids a static oil-based growth strategy.Knowledge has always been central to development, but new technologies have made it globally accessible. Countries such as the Republic of South Korea, India, and the United States that have exploited new technologies and know-how have pushed their innovation and productivity frontiers. Countries that have failed to do so risk remaining mired in poverty.In order to achieve Vision 2020, Nigeria must move beyond the stop-start patterns of oil-based development that have characterized it since independence. It must create a stable and prosperous economy based on a critical mass of knowledge workers. Knowledge, Productivity, and Innovation in Nigeria examines how Nigeria can prepare for this century and where its leaders can focus to achieve their vision, presenting the experiences of other countries from which Nigeria can learn.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Abbreviations	p. xv
Overview	p. 1
Knowledge for Development	p. 1
Charting a Way Forward	p. 6
Notes	p. 10
Knowledge, Productivity, and Innovation	p. 11
Why Is Knowledge So Important for a New Nigerian Economy?	p. 13
What Is a Knowledge Economy?	p. 13
What Does This Imply for Nigeria?	p. 16
Assessing Nigeria's Opportunities and Challenges as a Knowledge-Oriented Economy	p. 18
Advancing Nigeria's Education System	p. 27
Developing Skilled Human Resources	p. 27
Nigeria's Education System	p. 29
Improving Access, Quality, and Funding	p. 36
Summary: Improving the Nigerian Education System	p. 44
Notes	p. 45
Improving Nigeria's Business Environment	p. 47
High Cost of Doing Business in Nigeria	p. 47
Major Constraints to Business in Nigeria	p. 48
Summary: Nigeria's Business Environment for the Knowledge Economy	p. 76
Notes	p. 78
Expanding Nigeria's Information Infrastructure	p. 79
Information Infrastructure is Key to Productivity and Economic Growth	p. 79
Benchmarking Nigeria's Information Infrastructure	p. 80
Summary: Nigeria's ICT Infrastructure	p. 86
Notes	p. 87
Creating an Innovation Culture	p. 89
What Is an Innovation System?	p. 89
Benchmarking Nigeria's Innovation System	p. 90
Summary: Creating an Innovation Culture	p. 99
Notes	p. 100
Case Studies	p. 101
What Can Nigeria Learn from Other Countries?	p. 101
India—Creating a Partnership for Knowledge	p. 103
Where Does India Stand on the Knowledge Economy Today?	p. 104
India's Knowledge Economy Strategy	p. 105
Opportunities and Challenges Facing India's Knowledge Economy	p. 108
What Can Nigeria Learn from India's Experience?	p. 113
Notes	p. 114
China Opening Up to Knowledge Economy Possibilities	p. 115
Recent Issues and Continuing Challenges for China's Knowledge Economy	p. 120
What Can Nigeria Learn from China's Efforts in Making a Transition to the Knowledge Economy?	p. 130
The Republic of Korea: Coordination as Key to the Knowledge Economy	p. 133
Economic, Social, and Industrial Coordination	p. 133
Reforming Korea's Market Structure through Deregulation	p. 135
Developing a Demand-Driven Education System	p. 136
Developing Korea's Science and Technology Sector	p. 138
Building Information Infrastructure	p. 140
Continuing Challenges	p. 141
What Can Nigeria Learn from Korea's Experience?	p. 142
Singapore's Transition to the Knowledge Economy: From Efficiency to Innovation	p. 145
Where Does Singapore Currently Stand in the Knowledge Economy?	p. 146
Embarking on a New Innovation Strategy	p. 147
Recent Issues and Challenges Facing Singapore's Knowledge Economy	p. 151
What Can Nigeria Learn from Singapore's Innovation Strategy?	p. 157
Annex: Innovation—The Key to Business Growth: The Irish Story	p. 158
References	p. 163
Index	p. 167
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