Philip Emeagwali's Web Site

Broadcast and webcast live on BBC Radio's "Up All Night" program on Saturday May 29 1999 at 1:16 a.m. Emeagwali spoke by telephone from his home in the United States.

TRANSCRIPT:

Gary Robertson: Olusegun Obasanjo starts his new job later today as president of Nigeria. He got the post in February as the first elected Head of State for 20 years. He admits the country needs a wholesale overhaul and is promising good governance. But can he really break free of the years of decline and corruption that preceded him.

Well, let's speak to Nigeria's Philip Emeagwali who fled his homeland during civil war in 1970s. He is now one of the most prominent members of his country's one million people in the Diaspora, having been dubbed "America's leading computer scientist" and the "Superbrain of Africa."

Philip that's quite a title, I have to say. Do you feel optimistic about the future of your homeland given that the new president takes up the reins of power today?

Philip Emeagwali: Well, anything is better than what we've had in the last few years, particularly, the brutal regime of General Sani Abacha in which there were'nt freedom and lots of people were persecuted.

Generally, Olusegun Obasanjo is a moderate compared to the previous military leaders Nigeria has had.

Gary Robertson: So on a day-to-day level there would'nt be so much brutality. But what about the economy of the country because ultimately that needs to be turned around.

Philip Emeagwali: Yes you're right. The economy actually depends heavily on petroleum revenue. It's going to be a little bit more difficult for General Obasanjo this time around.

When he was in power 20 years ago, we had 40 billion dollars of petroleum revenue each year. Now that has reduced to 12 billion dollars. So he will have less income to govern the country. So things will still be difficult for the next several years.

Gary Robertson: It's my understanding that corruption is still rife within the country. Supposedly, that's an issue that needs to be dealt with.

Philip Emeagwali: Yes, the corruption is deeply entrenched. As a matter of fact, last year, Nigeria was voted as the most corrupt country in the world.

Unfortunately, General Obasanjo has publicly proclaimed that he would'nt engage in a public witch hunt which basically means that he will be pardoning the former military generals who embezzled lots of billions of dollars of the petroleum revenue and this is going to make it difficult and, in effect, will be setting a bad example and will make it difficult to discourage others from stealing public money.

Gary Robertson: Now, I mentioned that you are living in the United States and I gather that some one million Nigerians living abroad represents terrific brain drain for the country.

Do you think people like you will now return to Nigeria to help rebuild the country?

Philip Emeagwali: Well, there will be a slight improvement so if there is a slight improvement you will expect a slight reverse brain drain. But I don't expect much to happen.

One big issue is a great disparity in the income between professionals in Nigeria and United States and other countries and this disparity can be as different by a factor of 50 times. So even if they were to double or triple the salary, you're still going to have that disparity and lots of Nigerian professionals will be flying, will be leaving the country to find greener pastures overseas.

Gary Robertson: So given all your qualifications and experience you just would'nt have the same quality of life in Nigeria.

Philip Emeagwali: Yes, but of course that is not the only issue because people also have a patriotic sense and will like to contribute to Nigerian development.

It is a little more complex. It is not only about the quality of life but the opportunity to reach your potential and accomplish as much as you can or contribute the most that you can to the society.

Gary Robertson: Given this desire by you, and I am sure shared by many other Nigerians, to contribute in some ways, is there anything you can do from the United States?

Philip Emeagwali: We are getting more conscious and getting together as a people living abroad but also the government needs to make an effort to recruit us because they need the services of the one million Nigerians living abroad. They have lots of skill and can have a significant impact in the future development of the country.

Gary Robertson: Do you think in a few years time we will see a very different Nigeria or you are not that hopeful?

Philip Emeagwali: In the short run, we expect political stability and when you have political stability that will also bring sociological and economic stability. So in that sense there will be an improvement but we need almost a revolution there. We need more than a slight improvement because things have deteriorated rapidly during the last 20 years of the military regime.

Gary Robertson: Well Philip, thank you very much indeed for talking to us.

Philip Emeagwali: Thank you very much.

Gary Robertson: Nice to speak to you. E N D