At the
just concluded 2017 edition of the Nigeria Innovation Summit with the
theme: ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Economy through Technology, Innovation
and Entrepreneurship’,...
experts
through a communique agreed sailent points which include the fact that
technology, innovation and entrepreneurship are key to a sustainable
economy.
The event was organized by Emerging
Media, in Lagos recently, Unfolding the communique, Director, Nigeria
Innovation Summit, Tony Ajah, highlights the submissions and
recommendations that:
* Technology, Innovation and
Entrepreneurship is key to growing a sustainable economy. And there is a
great need for Nigeria to embrace such to grow her economy across all
sectors as Nigeria’s economic growth will impact on Africa.
* The role of government in driving
technology and innovation in Nigeria was emphasised and government at
all levels should start investing in technology and Innovation as
Nigeria has the human, natural and the financial resources to become a
leader in innovation. Government should also create the enabling
environment and build the infrastructure like power that will attract
investments and also grow local economies.
* Nigeria is in dire need of growing her
own innovative and disruptive ideas that will transform the country and
bring in foreign investments.
*Lack of a clear cut policy that
encourages technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria has
been a major set back for the country in realising her potentials and
leverage emerging technologies to drive economic growth.
*Technology and Innovation thrive on
healthy innovation ecosystems where there is collaboration between the
public and the private sector. The summit calls for greater
collaborations between the government, private sectors, the academics,
the media and entrepreneurs. The efforts of Private Health Sector
Alliance of Nigeria is galvanising private sector coalition to drive
Health innovations in Nigeria.
*The role of the academics in driving
technology research, incubation and development was also brought to
light. Nigerian universities, research centers and higher education
community should take up the responsibility and contribute their quota.
* Nigerian youths should be supported and
encouraged to embrace technology, innovation and entrepreneurship so as
to build the future of Nigeria.
*The Summit welcomes and encourages
collaborations with the government, corporate organizations,
international organizations and the academic community towards promoting
open innovation in Nigeria.
*The Summit organisers in collaboration
with Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) South
Africa officially launched the Nigeria-South Africa Innovation Network,
which aimed at promoting Open Innovation among the two countries.
The summit, according to him, had over 350 delegates and
stakeholders in attendance. The delegates cut across Federal and State
government, International organisations, Diplomats, businesses,
investors, academia, business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators,
students and from within and outside Nigeria in attendance. The over all objective of the summit
focuses on the need for the country, businesses, organisations,
entrepreneurs in Nigeria to become more innovative and apply innovation
to drive sustainable development and bridge the digital divide. And to
help Nigeria embrace innovation and move in the direction of digital
transformation through the use of Emerging Technologies and Trends,
Research, Development, Commercialization, Entrepreneurship and
Investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem.
The Summit program included Keynote
Sessions, Workshops, Panel Discussions/Interactive Sessions which
focused on: Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Driving
Economic Growth, Building Innovation Ecosystems and Collaborations;
Innovation by Young Nigerians and the Nigeria Innovation Landscape;
Innovations in Media Industry in Nigeria. There were also Networking
Session, Start-ups and Innovative Business Presentations and the Nigeria
Innovation Awards.
The speakers include: Davis Cook, CEO,
Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) South
Africa; Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq CEO, Private Health Sector Alliance of
Nigeria; Prof Bongo Adi of Lagos Business School; Gossy Ukanwoke,
Founder of BAU Research and Development; Kaosiso Anaekwe of Google
Business Group (GBG), Nigeria; Bankole Oloruntoba, Founder Enspire
Incubator Abuja; Kendall Ananyi, Founder Tizeti; Adenike Akinsemolu,
Founder Green Institute; Tunde Alawode, Co-Founder Dot Learn; Celestine
Achi of CIHAN Group.
The Nigeria Innovation Summit is a
brainchild of Emerging Media, also attracted delegates from Research
Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, South Africa; the Private
Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria; Anambra State Government; Kaduna
State; Google Business Group; Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Investment; UNIDO/NIRP; Enspire Business Incubator, Abuja; Oxford
Business Group, UK; British High Commission; South Africa, United
Nations Information Centre, Lagos Business School; University of Lagos;
Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Caleb University; Crescent
University; Nasarawa State University; Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria,
amongst others.
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