LCCI tasks stakeholders on right collaborations, policies for Nigeria technological advancement

The President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Babatunde Paul Ruwase has urged all key stakeholders to collaborate on exploring innovative approaches to harness the benefits from the fourth technological revolution.

Ruwase, who made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the 2019 information communications technology and telecommunications EXPO (ICTEL EXPO) themed “Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Nigerian Story” held in Lagos noted that Nigeria has missed out of the first, second and third Industrial Revolution.

According to him, in order not miss the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “we must, design and implement an agenda that promotes a digital transformation, with modern regulations, infrastructure and digital education.

“To be actively involved and benefit from this Fourth Revolution, Nigeria must narrow the gap between technological potentials and the required policy framework needed”, he said.

Speaking further, Ruwase noted in his welcome address that there is need for the country to address necessary policy challenges in three key areas, which are E-commerce, data flows and new technologies.

“Ultimately we must strive to become a hub for technological advancement in Sub-Sahara Africa.

He also noted that the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry fully understand this and has therefore seek to promote this great agenda of ensuring that the trade and commerce space of the Nigerian economy is fully integrated in the revolution currently being experienced in the world of technology.

In his Goodwill message, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta acknowledged the effort of LCCI to be in tune with the development in the current digital era.

“Indeed, the Fourth Industrial Revolution heralds a series of social, political, cultural, and economic transformation that will unfold over the 21st century. Building on the widespread availability of digital technologies that were the result of the Third Industrial, or Digital, Revolution, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will be driven largely by the convergence of digital, biological, and physical innovations”, he said.

The EVC further stated that all these services and technologies that characterise the 4IR will ride on robust telecommunication/ infrastructure and pervasive broadband networks.

As a result, he highlighted that the commission is working tirelessly to collaborate with necessary stakeholders across different levels of government towards removing impediments to telecoms investment in Nigeria.

“However, increased support and collaboration from government authorities are required in this regard.

“The Commission is also ensuring that there is efficient allocation of spectrum resources through re-planning and opening up of some spectrum bands as well as development of framework for the utilisation of unused broadcast spectrum known as television white space (TVWS) for the provision of affordable broadband services in the rural, underserved and unserved areas of the country”, he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, who was represented the DG/CEO Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Dr Chima Igwe believes that ICT & Telecommunication, and Industrialization or industrial revolution are two sides of a coin and are known to be the key drivers of any economy.

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He also noted that ICT and Telecommunications affect every area of today’s economy and lives as the role in human existence cannot be overemphasized.

He reasoned that though Nigeria has, recently, experienced an influx of economic activities, and oil and gas might have increased the country’s energies, but diversifying the economy through a revolutionary approach through information communication and telecommunication businesses will save the economy of Nigeria from a relapse of recession.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication, Mr Istifanus Musa, reminded the audience that there are benefits in continual investment in ICT in Nigeria.

Musa who was represented by the Director of ICT in the Ministry, Mrs Monilola Udoh said that Nigerians should share their stories as they create and adopt new technologies to solve complex problems in the nation.

It also read that such conferences as the ICTEL 2019 give opportunities to share ideas on how to use modern technology to the good of humanity.

Further sharing that ICT and Telecommunications has enhanced human capacities in different areas, the audience was reminded by Mr Musa’s speech that Nigeria cannot have any meaningful development without ICT development, especially in infrastructure.