Why Nigeria Should Turn to Japan for Robust Technology Transfer and Rediscovery of Quality, Standards*
It does appear that in the earliest days of its nationhood, Nigeria began treading aright on the part that was building a quality-driven and prosperous country. At that time, Nigeria was known for a strong currency, the naira that was standing neck to neck with currencies of the strongest nations of the world. Nigeria was aiming at the best, attracting quality products and services made in countries like Japan that do not compromise quality. Nigeria was therefore respected among the comity of nations; Nigerians were accepted and received internationally as the giant of Africa.
What has happened to Nigeria? Where do we go from here?
Along the line, Nigeria laxed its policy of quality control and standards and started deviating to countries that are known to compromise quality, countries that are exploitative and countries that could export any inferior products internationally. And so, the most populous black nation was turned to dumping ground for all forms of imports, including harmful substances and products.
Nigeria’s quality control and regulatory bodies need to wake up and redirect the country aright. Nigeria needs a self-rediscovery trajectory back to collaborations with nations known for quality like Japan, which is currently the most technologically advanced country in the world.
As the No. 1 country in technology in the world, Japan, like Nigeria in the early beginning of nationhood is aware that creative ideas have to come with high quality standard and standardization. In other words, keying back to consistent bilateral relations with Japan will support Nigeria to adapt to Japanese culture of quality and standards to meet expectations of its people reflected in robust quality control of products.
Nigeria should aim and aspire to advance like Japan. As the world knows, when we think of Japanese products, innovativeness, uniqueness, and of course high quality come to mind. The Japanese have always had an eye on pioneering and advancing the standards of life by creating products to help guide mankind in the right direction of development.
Suffice it to state that Nigeria needs to strengthen its bilateral relations with Japan; and Nigerian Government and people are not unaware of this and this was part of the reason Japan’s Foreign Minister, Ms. Kamikawa Yoko, met with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar recently to explore ways to significantly deepen bilateral relations between the Asian and African giants.
Yoko, who had visited Nigeria in April, 2024, expressed her appreciation for the constructive dialogues during her visit to Nigeria. She had also emphasised Japan’s interest in fostering stronger economic ties, including support for start-ups, as part of a broader effort to enhance the partnership between the two nations. Recall that during her visit to Nigeria, Yoko reiterated Japan’s commitment to collaborating with Nigeria to address global issues, praising Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and its shared democratic values.
A Call to Duty for Nigeria – Japan Chamber of Commerce
This relationship that has again been enkindled should not be allowed to go cold and this is where Nigeria – Japan Chamber of Commerce (NIJACC) needs to step in to create and stimulate many productive programmes to sustain the relationship between the two countries to reinvigorate and re-energise Nigeria’s economy to foster its leading role in Africa.
It is exciting that in the first quarter of 2025, precisely from 17th to 22nd of February, 2025, the Nigeria – Japan Chamber of Commerce (NIJACC) is organizing The Nigeria Renewable Energy Promotion Week in Tokyo Japan. The event, which will hold alongside the Japan Global Renewable Energy Week is aimed at bringing key players in the energy sector in both countries to cross-fertilize ideas for collaborations that would midwife transformations through technology transfer.
AWC commends NIJACC for working to advance partnership and bilateral relations between Nigeria and Japan and it is expected that key plays, captains of industries, MDAs in Nigeria in energy, industry and technology-related sectors will seize the opportunity of the weeklong programme to connect with the most advanced technologies of the world for exchange towards transformation of various sectors in Nigeria.
While, it is certain that the transformation needed in Nigeria will not take place overnight, it is important that the processes is kickstarted and sustained to create proactive modules to change the orientation of our people from inferior substandard ways of life and product use to quality and standard ways of life through Japan technology.
– Amah A. Amah, Director, Media & Publicity, Nigeria – Japan Chamber of Commerce (NIJACC)
