NITDA, others call for collaboration to unlock potential of emerging technologies

By Chinenye Anuforo

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and other tech stakeholders have emphasized the importance of collaboration in fostering innovation for a thriving digital future at the IoT West Africa Conference and Exhibition held today in Lagos.

Aristotle Onumo, Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NITDA, delivered a keynote address on behalf of the agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa.

Onumo highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. He acknowledged the challenges presented by these advancements, including job displacement and data privacy concerns.

“We stand at a pivotal moment,” stated Mr. Onumo. “Emerging technologies offer immense opportunities, but responsible use and a supportive ecosystem are crucial for success.”

NITDA, according to him is actively working to address these challenges and empower Nigeria’s innovation. Key initiatives include: Fostering Collaboration: Bringing together government, industry, and academia to share knowledge, develop solutions, and shape technology policy.

Developing a Robust Policy Framework: Advocating for clear and adaptable policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding public interest.

Investing in Research and Development: Supporting initiatives like the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to drive cutting-edge research.

Promoting Infrastructure Development: Initiatives like the IoT development hub will provide a platform for startups and businesses to thrive.

Mr. Onumo concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a brighter digital future for Nigeria. He stressed the need to prioritize empowering young people, building a strong digital economy, and ensuring inclusive development.

The NITDA keynote address highlighted the agency’s commitment to supporting a thriving Nigerian tech ecosystem and leveraging emerging technologies for the benefit of all citizens.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Jerome Abudah, Head of IT, Ikeja Electric pointed out how the the successful implementation of a comprehensive digital transformation initiative at his company transformed account creation, meter connection processes, and overall customer interaction.

“Previously, our customers faced a time-consuming and manual process for opening accounts and connecting their meters,” explained the Head of IT. “This digital transformation journey has allowed us to completely revamp that experience.”

While the Disco’s digital transformation journey has been successful, the Head of IT acknowledged the inherent challenges associated with such an undertaking. But, he stated that, as the company continues to invest in technology and talent, one can expect even greater advancements in customer service in the years to come.

On her own contributions, the Head of IoT Solutions Development, MTN, MRS. Viola Opara explained that MTN is transitioning from a traditional telecom company to a technology partner focusing on four key areas: unified communications, cybersecurity, internet of Things (IoT) and cloud.

She said by working with strategic partners and leveraging the ecosystem, MTN aims to provide solutions that address stakeholder challenges and drive the telecommunications sector towards a smarter future.

A representative from the Renewable Energy Association argued that Implementing innovative meter integration and data management technologies will be essential for optimizing grid operations with renewables. He added that, effective collaboration between renewable energy companies, Discos (electricity distribution companies), and TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) is paramount for a smooth transition.

For the Organizer of the event, Shitij Taneja, Managing Director, Vertex Group, he sees immense potential in West Africa’s growing tech sector, driven by young talent and telecom infrastructure investments.

He emphasized the increasing importance of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in everyday life adding that the conference aims to showcase its applications and adoption in West Africa.”The current level of IoT deployment in West Africa is considered to be in its initial stages”

He said, “The event aims to attract investors to support the region’s burgeoning startup scene. Over $70 billion has already been invested in African startups, and Vertex Next wants to further fuel this growth.”