My scientific work
is an expression of the
creativity of the Nigerian people and their contribution to
world civilization.
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.
Click on emeagwali.com for more information.
