“TECH, THE NEXT CRUDE OIL………”
“TECH, THE NEXT CRUDE OIL………”
“ It’s supposed to be automatic, but actually you have to push the button.” — Elbert Hubbard.
The creativity of man is immeasurable and powerful; The skill, art, and cunning of hands are amazing.
Technology has evolved from what it used to be. The involvement of people (male and female), ability to think thoughts extraordinaire, and eagerness to solve problems in our local society and the world at large has really changed the perception of technology.
It is widely becoming accepted by both the young and the old. Big institutions and individuals are now very willing to invest in projects that can contribute to the growth of the society. Africa is developing and the developed countries are even doing more. Everyone wants to become “techie”…… “Gainsay right?”
Think about the modern technologies that are birthed every day — the relief they bring us, wiping our past challenges in getting things done, thus, making life easier and work more productive.
We are obviously in an age where most of the things we do are technology based; every work environment is dependent on one computer application or the other.
In recent times across Africa, innovative data projects have led to more infrastructures and brought about economic change and development in the right direction. According to the UN, more than 67% of Africans have access to mobile phones, that number translates to about One billion, one hundred and thirteen million (1,113,000,000) with 26.5% (297,885,898) on the internet.
The Nigerian Communication Commission’s records show that about 86 million Nigerians use and have access to the internet, the increasing population of the country provides opportunities for huge content development and other digital marketing opportunities that can boost earnings and at the same time create job opportunities for the increasing number of unemployed individuals across the country.
The national mantra now is on diversification of the economy, of which sectors considered for diversification include Agriculture, Solid Minerals and ICT. While the 20th century economy was based on natural resources and industrial machines, today’s economy is primarily driven by knowledge and ideas through the wheels of Technology.
It is noteworthy to say that ICT is the pillar on which the world rests on and the time has come to leverage the robust opportunities in ICT to deliver sublime solutions, generate substantial revenue, create fulfilling jobs, chart passionate courses in life and reduce heavy dependence on foreign solutions.
Really, this can be achieved through appropriate IT legal frameworks, infrastructural and human development, and policy redirection to speedily harness the huge potential in the sector.
We are so glad that the Lagos State Government has taken a step in the right direction by initiating the “Lagos Study Program” with an aim to provide world class training to graduates resident in Lagos to make them employable and contribute positively to the state’s development.
We hope that other states as well as leaders in developing countries will follow this trend.
Contributors: Ruth Obe, abidemi oyeleke, Aru T. Ijevu, CHIKA OBI
