Systematic barriers to technology development in Nigeria: a literature review

Abstract

This paper conducts an intensive literature review on systematic barriers to technology development in Nigeria. The review suggests institutional challenges and instability that limits technology development and knowledge diffusion in Nigeria. In addition, the review reveals increasingly prominent role performed by intermediaries by providing technologies to firms within Nigeria. The findings of this article shows that systematic barriers to technology development in Nigeria includes: weak policy initiatives for technology development, poor technology outputs by firms, inadequate financial support, weak collaboration between universities, research institutes and firms. Factors such as state of infrastructure, absorptive capacities, cost of technology development activities and ineffective policies hinder technology development in Nigeria. This paper therefore suggests policy measures to facilitate interaction among actors and institutions to minimise infrastructural, financial and bureaucratic burdens and enhance absorptive capacity. The contribution of this paper can enable researchers re-conceptualise peculiarities of actor involved in technology development in Nigeria.