In-house engineers of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) have developed a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that would ensure the manufacturing of camera, computers, televisions, printers, among other electronic items in the country.
The landmark development has etched the leading satellite company in Africa in the history books and represents a concrete step to move Nigeria from a resource-based economy to electronic materials production centre and a knowledge-driven one.
The PCB is a spin-off from the know-how technology transfer and training of over 100 Nigerian engineers in China, UK, USA and the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, minister of Science and Technology who spoke at the commissioning of the PCB and Microelectronics Centre in Abuja, said that even though the NigComSat-I was lost, the knowledge acquired by Nigerian engineers was not lost, as NigComSat has re-strategised by harnessing in-house human resources development towards attaining a more vibrant economy.
Zaku described the PCB and Microelectronics Centre as the onset of technological revolution in the country adding that the development would not only impact technological advancement but also impact positively on socio-economic life of the country and create employment opportunities for the youths.
He observed that the venture of Nigeria into space technology has provided an advantage to embark on know-how trainings in high-tech fields, thereby affording it the opportunity to develop and domesticate this technology and its various spin-of applications.
Zaku stated that for Nigeria to be one of the top 20 world best economies by 2020, technological innovations must be exploited to the maximum. He noted that Nigeria possesses the knowledge stock and type of technological capability that can kick-start and sustain an industrial revolution in the style of China, India and East Asia.
According to him, the manufacturing and sales of the PCB and other products would support the achievement of wealth creation; enhance the Internally Generated Revenue of the country.
Ahmed Rufai, managing director of NigComSat, said that technological intervention is crucial in the achievement of Vision 2020, 7-point agenda and also critical to the attainment of sustainable growth and development.
Rufai stated that the PCB and Microelectronics Centre would serve as a learning ground for under graduates to receive hands-on training and first-hand experience in electronic manufacturing as the centre is fully equipped to meet their educational needs.
He said, “the centre will also serve our local manufacturers and reduce production time and costs as before now, they would have had to import PCBs for the manufacture and assembling of their electronic products.”