The world, as we know, is in a state of constant flux. It is evolving and nothing stays static forever. So is it, with technology.
The first industrial revolution witnessed a shift, from using hands to perform duties and other tasks, by crafting out tools to replace the use of hands. These implements were mass produced, in manufacturing warehouses, through the aid of machines in Europe and the United States, in the from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840. The first industrial revolution used water and steam for mechanised production.
The second industrial revolution came, between the 19th and early 20th century. This period witnessed the widespread use of technology due to the rising need of expansion. The second revolution used electric energy to create mass production.
The third industrial revolution was, also called digital revolution and this era witnessed the shift from mechanical technology to digital technology. Things became more digitalised. That was the era, when, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins flew on a spaceship to the moon and made the first moon landing, returning to earth, afterwards.
This period served as a precursor, for the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution and on the blueprint on which it is built.
The fourth industrial revolution, which we are now witnessing, has ushered in, an era, where technology is now more sophisticated and compressed into smaller and handy devices, making it an essential tool for survival.
Advanced automated technology, is ensuring that things are done in a fast and more efficient ways, thus, eliminating errors that are associated with humans.
The Internet, for instance, has made billions of people around the world to have access to more information with just a click of a button on their mobile devices. The various social media platforms have also given, virtually everyone that gets on them, a face and presence online.
In biomedics, anti-aging drugs and methods to improve human life span are taking the centre stage.
Neuroscience is taking the centre stage as the fusion of man and machine is now more pronounced than ever before.
The fourth industrial revolution not only offers an advanced and more sophisticated technological opportunity, but there have been significant advanced educational opportunities and also the gradual rise of cities into mega-cities.
Artificial Intelligence and augmented reality are also features of the fourth industrial revolution, where, robots are being developed to take over the roles of humans in the workplace. This is, aside from monitoring and making smart household devices, such as refrigerators, doors, cookers and air conditioners, among others, that can be controlled remotely from far locations.
The question now is; where does Nigeria stand, in all of this? Are we in the game at all, or, are we scratching it on the surface?
In 2003, The Nigeriasat-1, became the first Nigerian sponsored satellite to be launched into space and it was aimed at providing the needed technological breakthrough, which will ensure education become more accessible, detect any form of environmental disaster, shed more light on the malaria vectors and the environment that breeds malaria, provide more insights in terms of border disputes, etc.
But so far, what has the country done with this achievement? Has the country built on this milestone?
Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in the world and has been greatly blessed with natural and human resources.
In March 2001, the Federal Executive Council approved The National Information Technology Policy and along came the National Information Technology Development Agency.
The aim of NITDA, is to foster an iron-clad collaboration with the private sector to grow the — Finish Reading on the Punch
