Legal Implications of Technology Transfer to Nigeria

Abstract

Legal implication of technology transfer is fraught with several controversies. Given the unique advantage of technology in the advancement of mankind in general vis-a-vis its destructive negative imperatives, opponents of its ideal usages argued that, in asserting its inherent advantages, its destructive disadvantages is not worth it. Citing cases of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in resolving the impasses of the Second World War, they argued that no sane nation would want to go that way again. The star wars with its attendant control leading to the strategic arms limitation treaty (salt) between the United States and the defunct Soviet Union was fraught with the quietest vigour. But then one cannot underestimate the unprecedented improvement in the livingstandard of man in all spheres of life, occasioned by advancement to technology. This paper examined most of the noble advantages of technology and its transfer in Nigeria with its unprecedented advancement, in the field of medicine, engineering, biomedics, agriculture, aviation, rocket science, production of weapons of mass destruction, etc. at the same time, looks at its limitations as a stop-gap to prevent what happened in history when its destructive operatives and the rat-race between the two super power, almost led to a third world war more than the water argued that technology transfer does not amount to mankind assembling plants to bring together party that were already manufactured in the countries of origin. The position is that technology transfer must translate into engaging the socio-cultural imperatives of a country to source for social raw materials and manufacturing goods and materials that are of immediate need and relevant to the country in question. The final position of this paper is that while its acquisition is central to the advancement of mankind, countries should be the watchword in its acquisition regardless of its inherent advantages.