Multinational Corporations, Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Nigeria: An examination of Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme (ETEPP)
- June 9, 2022
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, International Relations, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Ismail Bello1,2, Asmau Isyaku Dutse3, Sophia Kazibwe1, Muzaare Gerald1
1 Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Kampala International University, Uganda
2 Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria
3 Department of Political Science, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria.
Abstract: This study presents a case study on good practice regarding how Multinational Corporations (Etisalat) have contributed towards skills development in Nigeria towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The study examines how Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme (ETEPP) has provided the needed training for academics and practitioners in the telecommunication sector through knowledge & technology transfer. A qualitative method of data collection and analysis was used for the study. Interviews were conducted and NVivo software was utilized in transcription, coding, and analysis of data from the interview conducted. This was supported with secondary data which includes journals, relevant books, periodicals, newspaper reports, internet sources, government releases, and pronouncement the findings of the study show that the ETEPP led to the creation of the first department of telecommunication engineering in Nigeria. In addition to this Etisalat in collaboration with Huawei technologies provided training and capacity building for Nigerians in order to ensure the sustainability of the program. Unlike what was obtainable before the ETEPP, telecommunication engineering training was basically done theoretically; the ETEPP provided hands-on training and provided trainees with a better understanding of the subject matter. This will no doubt go a long way in helping youths get skills needed for a technology driven world, thereby assisting Nigeria make considerable efforts towards SDGs.
Keywords: Multinational Corporations, Technology Transfer, Knowledge Transfer, Postgraduate, Etisalat.
I.INTRODUCTION
Scholars like Adams Smith, Ricardo, Bent, who belong to the liberal school posit that state should not interfere with the economic transaction but instead, state should encourage the exchange of goods and service and remove trade barriers to promote the free flow of foreign direct investment. By these measures, world scarce resource are best utilized and it will be to the benefit of both the citizenry and state (Gilberthope and Banks 2012). Furthermore, the liberalist and neo-liberalist point out that by removing trade barriers and limiting government intervention in the market, it would pave the way for MNCs to facilitate foreign direct investments (FDI) in developing countries which will in turn, benefit both the state
