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Balqees Adeniji
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, asked for an urgent change in the Nigeria innovation strategy, declaring that the country’s future technological future cannot be built by some cities.
Speaking on Thursday at a round table of computer hosted by the Ogun technological community, Tijani published a clarion called for inclusive innovation, urging the interested parties both federal and state to channel investments in emerging technological ecosystems such as that of Ogun State.
“We cannot leave innovation in the hands of a few cities,” the minister warned. “Every part of Nigeria, including cities and rural areas, must be part of the digital journey. The more people we carry on, the more we become stronger as a country.”
Tijani stressed that the greatest resource in Nigeria – its youth population – is equipped with the right tools and opportunities to thrive in the global digital economy.
“If we do not invest in our own people, we will continue according to the others for the solutions,” he said. “We must create space to grow local ideas and become real companies.”
The minister announced the federal support for the initiative of Ogun Tech Hub to create up to 300 jobs through the outsourcing of business processes, framing it as part of a wider plan to transform Nigerian states into “city of talents”.
“Africa is the future,” he said, “and if we are serious about that future, we must start building from scratch. This means building the ability in every region”.
He also asked for the integration of cutting -edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and drones in key sectors, in particular agriculture, while pushing for the adoption of Ai Generative in the classrooms to allow personalized and accessible learning for everyone.
“The classrooms are becoming intelligent and personalized. Learning should be accessible at any time, everywhere,” he added, adding that the government will support the communities and platforms that offer digital skills on a large scale.
Reacting to the observations of the minister, president of the technological community of Ogun, Mr. Adekunle Durosinmi, expressed optimism on the future of technology in the state.
He noticed the comparative advantage of Ogun, including a young educated population and a growing industrial base.
“We have over 10 higher institutions focused on digital education,” said Durosinmi. “We are building an environment in favor of the technology in which everyone, from students to companies can grow.”
Founded in February 2022 in Kobape, the technological community of Ogun established 19 active clusters, conducted training courses in AI and IT security and promoted digital literacy through television and radio broadcasts, also in Yoruba language. Its flagship product, Konne3t, is a videoconference platform made for African users.
Durosinmi has revealed that the community is looking for the support of the government for the construction of a vast -scale innovation park in the state, a move that said that it will accelerate the growth of startups and would have guided local economic development.
Although 30 startups were scheduled to launch their products during the event, only six presentations made before the session ended. Despite the abbreviated agenda, the interested parties started with a renewed sense of the purpose.
Thursday’s round table has reported a growing alignment between HUB of basic and national political innovation: a turn that many believe that it could redefine the position of Nigeria in the global technological panorama.
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