My scientific work is an expression of the creativity of the Nigerian people and their contribution to world civilization.


Philip Emeagwali, biography, A Father of the Internet, supercomputer pioneer, Nigerian scientist, inventor

Philip Emeagwali
interviewed by Reuben Abati for The Nigerian Guardian.


Nigeria is so unpopular these days in the international community. Do you feel a sense of guilt that perhaps if people like you had stayed back at home or returned, to play a role in government that things could have been different?
Yes and no.

The justification for my staying abroad requires a circular, chicken-and-egg-style explanation: I would not have acquired the skills Nigeria needed if I had not left Nigeria. Also, I will not do my best work if I return to Nigeria today. But Nigeria cannot use my skills until I return to Nigeria. A compromise solution is for me to have one foot in Nigeria and the other foot in the United States.

Also, my research requires that I have daily access to $55 million supercomputers which are not available in Africa which, in turn, makes it impossible for me to work in Africa.

Most importantly, my scientific work is an expression of the creativity of the Nigerian people and their contribution to world civilization. Also, it will be used to educate, motivate and inspire the future generations of scientists of African descent.


Related articles/websites

Emeagwali's Website

Interviews

His wife

Letters to Emeagwali


Philip Emeagwali, biography, A Father of the Internet, supercomputer pioneer, Nigerian scientist, inventor

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Philip Emeagwali, biography, A Father of the Internet, supercomputer pioneer, Nigerian scientist, inventor


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