A digital revolution that will create the desired impact in Nigeria should be one with a sensible and compelling narrative according to engineering and electronics company, Siemens Nigeria limited.
Onyeche Tifase, managing director of Siemens Nigeria disclosed this at the Digital Treasure Hunt conference which held in Lagos recently.
According to Tifase, a compelling narrative should align with the aspirations of the authorities in order to gain desired attention in digital transformation. For instance, the present administration is riveted on import substitution and export orientation, thus a digital development fall in line with these ambitions. Policy makers, she said, need to be compelled to understand the impact of digital companies.
Outlining the challenges of digital development, other participants at the event mirrored on poor digital infrastructure. Tifase said telecommunication infrastructure was critical for connectivity to reach every corner of the country. For her, the role of mobile phones in driving connectivity underscores the need for more investment in telecommunication infrastructure. While the private sector participation is important in making it happen, government’s involvement will build trust and assurance in the process.
“We have to serve the whole 170 million Nigerians. Thus, there is need for government to put money in telecom infrastructure to drive the growth of digital connectivity,” Tifase said.
While defining digital technology, Wole Oyeniran, Africa Technology lead, Deloitte said it was fundamental mind-shift and asking the crucial question “It is asking what exactly the customer wants?”
From understanding what the customer wants, the next level will be to be open to fulfil what the customer wants according to Olaniyi Yusuf, country managing director, Accenture Nigeria.
“Second is to understand that innovation may not exist with your organisation, so you may need to tap into a larger ecosystem and collaborate to fulfil customer needs,” Yusuf said.
On the part of government, Dara Osibo, head DATA, BI and Analytics, Venture Garden Group said that is needed is an enabling environment. There has to be a clear sense of direction of the policies of the government. For him, an enabling environment means transformative policies.
In addition, a legal framework is necessary to protect intellectual property. Ifeanyi Amah, chief technology officer, Microsoft Nigeria who expressed this view also noted that government has to optimize its operation by adapting information technology and also integrate the public and civil servants into the system.
To help government, Ifeanyi said the private sector is responsible for driving advocacy for good governance.
After the summit, Siemens representatives led by Onyeche Tifase proceeded to the University of Lagos where they donated automation solutions kit to the university. The donation according to the company was intended to facilitate Africa’s technology and skills acquisition.
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