As countries around the world invest heavily in semiconductor manufacturing, Nigerian-born engineer Edikan Gideon calls for bold, strategic action from the Nigerian government to unlock the economic potential of this high-value industry.
A top honors graduate of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Edikan Gideon has over eight years of engineering experience in telecommunication, automation, and semiconductor product development. Now a Product Engineer at Qorvo Inc., he works on cutting-edge chip design and high-volume production in the United States.But Edikan Gideon’s focus is on building capacity back home.
Talking about the nation, Gideon said “We have the talent in Nigeria”, he added that “What we need is infrastructure, policy, and investment to turn that talent into innovation, and innovation into economic growth.” In a recent policy brief, Edikan proposed strategic actions to position Nigeria in the $500 billion global semiconductor market. Central to the plan is the development of local chip prototyping and packaging labs within universities and tech parks to boost innovation and hands-on expertise.
He also urged a revamp of engineering curricula to include modern chip design, embedded systems, and VLSI technology, aligning education with industry demands. Declaring electronics and semiconductors a national development priority was highlighted as essential to drive focus and funding. To support innovation, the brief recommended targeted R&D grants and startup funding for semiconductor ventures. Additionally, Edikan emphasized the importance of forging partnerships with global tech leaders to enable knowledge transfer and strengthen local capacity. The proposal comes at a crucial time, as countries worldwide compete for relevance in a sector vital to digital infrastructure and national security.
Edikan Gideon is a registered COREN engineer and a member of IEEE, NIEEE, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). His academic research spans semiconductor solutions, IoT-based metering, AI-enabled robotics, and smart energy systems, all pointing toward his deep commitment to innovation for development.
“Semiconductors are the foundation of today’s digital economy,” he explains. “If Nigeria invests in this sector, we’re not just building chips, we’re creating jobs, attracting foreign investment, and driving long-term economic prosperity.”
According to Edikan Gideon, Nigeria’s youthful population, growing digital economy, and technical talent are all in place. What’s missing is coordinated action to harness these strengths into a vibrant microelectronics ecosystem.
“This is a race for relevance and wealth creation,” he says. “The countries building chips today will shape the global economy tomorrow.”
For Edikan Gideon, Nigeria must shift from being a technology consumer to becoming a creator, and the time to start is now.
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