Willie Siyanbola: Nigeria's Number One Science, Technology and Innovation Expert

Today, an illustrious Nigerian, an associate professor of Energy and Environment Studies, a distinguished material scientist, a seasoned administrator, an experienced Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy analyst, a technology manager of no mean repute, an avid sports lover and a former Director-General, Dr. Willie Owolabi Siyanbola, is a year older. And for me, it is a great honour to write about this unassuming achiever; a man who has become a mentor, role model, teacher and father to many who have had the good fortune of crossing his path.

Who is Willie Siyanbola?

Willie Siyanbola was born in 1960 in the historic city of Oyo to Pa and Mrs. Siyanbola. Willie, who was not born with a silver spoon, had to endure a very rough childhood. He attended Oranmiyan Grammar School, Oyo for his secondary education. His childhood was so rough that when he got admission into secondary school, his parents could not afford to buy him a school uniform and had to make his uniform from his elder sister’s dress. 

In order to get his Higher School Certificate, he went to Olivet Baptist High School, also in Oyo, where his proficiency in Physics and Mathematics was acknowledged when he emerged as the best student in both subjects. Willie must have had an interesting time at Olivet going by the experiences he had there. One of such was the trade by barter system he introduced at Olivet. The story of the “trade by barter” is interesting: Willie was given a bicycle by a rich benefactor because of his footballing prowess and he took the bicycle to school. When he got to school, expectedly his peers and co-students wanted to ride the bicycle, and in exchange for the ride, he collected beverages and other things from them, especially from the rich kids.

He proceeded to the University of Ife to study Engineering Physics (Material Science option). He graduated in 1983 as the Best Graduating Student in Materials Science Option Class. From 1981 till he graduated from the university, he was a recipient of the National Merit Award. Willie travelled outside the shores of Nigeria for his postgraduate studies. He obtained his Master’s degree in Energy studies and Ph.D in Physics from the University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom in 1986 and 1991, respectively. He married his heartthrob, Wumi, in 1985 and the union is blessed with two adorable daughters, Temola and Sike.

It is worth mentioning that throughout his secondary and first degree education, Willie was an active sportsman. He represented his state and university in football competitions and he became the captain of the University of Ife football team. It is also interesting to know that Willie played for some local Nigerian clubs like Water Corporation Football Club of Oyo State and that he was invited to Nigeria’s National Football Team but turned down the invitation because he had to travel out of the country for his postgraduate studies. He was appointed the Team Manager of Obafemi Awolowo University football team when he joined the services of the university. He has shown that he has an undying love for sports and this is why he still contributes his quota to sports development in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. In recognition of his contributions to sports development in Obafemi Awolowo University, a yearly football competition has been instituted in his honour by the Faculty of Science of Obafemi Awolowo University.

A scholar of international repute, Willie Owolabi Siyanbola has over 60 publications in notable local and international journals including conference papers/proceedings and technical reports on Materials Science, Energy, Environment, Intellectual Property and Technology Management. He is also an active member of many professional societies including Materials Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Meteorological Society, Nigerian Institute of Physics, Materials Research Society (MRS), USA, National Business Incubation Association (NBIA), USA, among others. He is a Fellow of the Materials Society of Nigeria (MSN) and the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria.

In 2004, Dr. Siyanbola rose to the position of associate professor of Materials Science and Energy at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and in the same year, he was appointed as the second Director/CEO of National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Due to his boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm for science, technology and innovation related issues, Dr. Siyanbola was able to revolutionise NACETEM which led to the elevation of the Centre from the status of a parastatal to that of a full agency of government. Thus in November, 2005, Dr. Willie Siyanbola became the first Director-General/CEO of NACETEM. Under Dr. Siyanbola’s perspicacious leadership, NACETEM experienced remarkable transformations and recorded phenomenal achievements and in this post, I will endeavour to mention some of his achievements.

Articulation of the Vision and Mission of the Agency

On assumption of office, Dr. Siyanbola embarked upon the crafting of vision and mission statements for the Agency so as to provide strategic direction for the Agency. Today, the vision has become the shared vision of the whole Agency; driving all its activities and eliciting the willing commitment of its entire staff.

Policy Research Activities

Under his direction, NACETEM successfully completed more than thirty-two (32) policy-oriented research projects on topical national issues to support policy making efforts in the various sectors of the national economy and some of the outputs of these projects have been published as monographs.

Some of the monographs published by NACETEM during Dr. Siyanbola's tenure

Science and Technology Policy Review

One of the biggest achievements of this erudite scholar and technology manager was leading NACETEM to play a vital role in the development of the new national Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for Nigeria. It is noteworthy that for the first time, based on the input of NACETEM, the concept of “innovation” was introduced into the Policy.

Human Resources/Staff Development

On assumption of office in NACETEM, Dr. Siyanbola met less than 40 staff but left 213 permanent staff when he was leaving. His administration placed such a high premium on staff development and this yielded positive outcomes so much so that by the time he left, there were 10 Ph.D. holders in the Centre, making it about the only institution with such a high number of doctorate degree holders in Technology Management in Africa. These enormous number and quality of human resources arguably make NACETEM the best institution of its kind in Africa

Establishment of Zonal Offices

During his time in NACETEM, the Agency established five (5) functional zonal offices in the following locations: Lagos (Southwest) in 2005, Abuja (North Central) in 2008, Bayelsa (South South) in 2008, Kano (North West) in 2010 and Enugu (South East) in 2012. Before his exit from NACETEM, he got approval for the establishment of an office in Yola (North East). The offices were established in a bid to ensure that the activities of NACETEM spread to different areas of the country and also develop manpower in STI all over Nigeria.

Capacity Building Programmes

With Dr. Siyanbola at the helm of affairs in NACETEM, the Centre trained close to two thousand middle-to-high level manpower. The Centre was able to achieve this by carrying out short term courses and running a postgraduate diploma (PGD) in Technology Management.

Master’s Programmes in Technology Management

Dr. Siyanbola sought and secured collaboration with the Federal University of Technology, Minna so that NACETEM and the university can jointly award Master of Technology (M.Tech, Tech. Mgt) and Professional Master in Technology Management (M.T. Mgt) degrees, with the prospect of awarding a PhD in Technology Management in the future.

STI Indicators Project

Under Dr. Siyanbola’s perceptive management, NACETEM conceived a project on the development of science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators to serve as the basis for initiating Nigeria’s Science &Technology (S&T) policies and for monitoring, benchmarking and evaluating the STI performance for national planning and sustainable development. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Office of Science and Technology of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD OST). It was conducted in two parts: Research and Development Survey (2006/07) and the National Innovation Survey (2005 - 2007). The Nigerian S&T indicators featured in the first edition of the African Innovation Outlook published by NEPAD. The project will henceforth collect time series data every 2 to 3 years.

Engagements with State Governments

NACETEM, under Dr. Siyanbola’s guidance, provided technical assistance to some state governments to develop frameworks for STI policy formulation and strategies. Some of the states that have benefited from such engagements include Kano, Bayelsa, Osun, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Oyo State, Cross-River, Plateau and Sokoto.

Collaborations

With Dr. Siyanbola at the helm of affairs, NACETEM entered into collaborations and signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with institutions such as NEPAD; Science Policy Research Unit, Sussex University (United Kingdom); POST (UK); CREST (South Africa); World Bank on the Science and Technology Education Post Basic (STEP B) Project, Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and the National Institute of Transport.

Construction of an Ultra-Modern Administrative Complex

60-Office Admin Block built during Dr. Siyanbola's tenure

Dr. Siyanbola’s administration initiated the construction of an ultra-modern office complex consisting of a 60-office administrative block, two 50-seater seminar rooms, a 500-seater auditorium and 20 participants/guest chalets.  The ultra-modern complex was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology on 24th March, 2011.

Another view of the 60-Office Admin Block

500-seater auditorium built during Dr. Siyanbola's tenure

Dr. Siyanbola’s achievements in NACETEM are too numerous to mention. His tenure in NACETEM came to an end on 8th November, 2013 and it was one of the most emotional days in NACETEM, as many wept at the exit of one of the best directors-general this country has seen. It must be mentioned that as DG, most of the time, whenever he was in Ile-Ife he drove himself to work in his personal car. He was modest and jovial in relating with members of staff. He was notorious for throwing banters at members of staff and for putting them off balance with penetrating comments and questions, which he asked lightheartedly. His staff found him refreshingly brilliant with a fecund imagination and he was arguably the most approachable DG in the country when he was in office.

He is regarded by many as a gift to the science and technology sector of Nigeria. In recognition of his importance on the STI landscape in Nigeria and Africa, he was asked to give the keynote speech at the Meeting of the National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) held in June, 2014, where he spoke on the topic: STI Policy: Prospects and Challenges in Its Implementation at the Grassroots. Even after his exit from office, he has remained a relevant player in the STI sector of Nigeria.

Please join me in raising your glass in honour of this amazing Nigerian. Hold your glass high to a man who is a true inspiration to the rest of us as raise a toast to a lovely gentleman, a kindhearted man and a loving husband who deserves only the best in life. On this note, I wish you a Happy Birthday!

HAPPY 54TH BIRTHDAY!
MANY HAPPY RETURNS!
LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY!

I wish you many more productive years ahead as you continue your sojourn on earth.