Foundation Calls for National Database of Global Nigerian Technocrats
By Jerry Adesewo
The Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation has called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a National Database of Global Technocrats of Nigerian origin, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening governance and accelerating national development.
The call was made in a formal communiqué issued at the conclusion of an online workshop titled “Technocrats Now,” recently hosted by the Foundation in London.
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According to the communiqué, Nigeria is at a defining point in its development journey. It must adopt deliberate strategies to identify, mobilise, and deploy its highly skilled professionals at home and in the diaspora. The proposed database, the Foundation said, would serve as a strategic national asset capable of repositioning the country in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy.
The Foundation outlined several objectives for the initiative, including strengthening governance capacity by providing public institutions with direct access to Nigerians who have distinguished themselves globally in fields such as technology, science, security, economics, innovation, and governance. It also noted that the database would institutionalise meritocracy by promoting competence, transparency, and fairness in national appointments.
In addition, the communiqué stated that the initiative would accelerate national transformation by enabling the targeted deployment of skilled professionals to critical sectors, while also enhancing international collaboration by showcasing Nigeria’s intellectual capital and attracting high-value global partnerships.
Speaking during the workshop, Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Africa’s first Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, stressed the urgency of harnessing Nigeria’s global talent pool.
“Nigeria cannot afford to ignore its intellectual capital scattered across the globe,” he said. “A national database of technocrats will not only ensure fairness in appointments but will also position our nation for transformative growth. This is about building a future-ready Nigeria where competence leads the way.”
Participants at the workshop reportedly reached a consensus that Nigeria’s development challenges require a departure from patronage-driven governance toward a system anchored on excellence, integrity, and the strategic use of expertise.
The Foundation urged the Federal Government and relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately commence the development of the proposed database. It also recommended the establishment of a multi-stakeholder committee comprising representatives from government, academia, industry, and the Nigerian diaspora to guide the process.
Other recommendations included ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in identifying qualified Nigerians worldwide and integrating the database into national planning, appointments, and strategic decision-making.
In its conclusion, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting governance excellence and national transformation through the strategic mobilisation of Nigeria’s global intellectual assets, noting that decisive action is now required to ensure that merit, knowledge, and competence drive the country’s development agenda.
The communiqué was issued by the Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation in London.