In an effort to improve the Nigerian digital innovation ecosystem, an interactive dialogue was hosted at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Information Technology Hub (NITHub), University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
The interactive session supported by German Development Agency, GIZ was split into a Policy Roundtable and Brown Bag Lunch Discussion. It witnessed panel of discussants from various fields of endeavour including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services, University of Lagos, Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa.
In attendance was also the Parliamentary Secretary, Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Barbel Kofler, whose visit to Nigeria underscored the commitment of German Government to international cooperation for sustainable development.
During her address, the Manager of GIZ Commission/Digital Transformation Centre, Dr. Thuweba Diwani remarked that the event provides a platform for experts drawn from academia, private sector, and government institutions to share thoughts on diverse topics, to improve digital literacy standard in Nigeria.
She posited that the idea of knowledge sharing between the town and gown became necessary as there were several challenges impeding the development of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria.
While providing insights on the partnership between NitHub and her organisation, Dr. Diwani explained the partnership is aimed at enhancing development of digital innovations from research, academia, and ecosystem innovators for increased productivity of MSMEs.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS welcomed the participants and seized the opportunity to highlight the University’s programmes to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship.
She explained that “the University has continued to provide a supportive setting within the campus community to humanize the learning experience, where students, staff are empowered to take their careers and businesses to the next level. We are delighted to put together different innovative solutions on our campus and we are proud to take everyone with us most especially the students in our quest to build an environment where their ideas metamorphose into commercialisation.”
The tone for the first panel session was set by the Head of Germplasm Health/Virology & Molecular Diagnostics, Dr. Lava Kumar who spoke on the current landscape of his organisation and the state of digital innovation in Nigeria. He revealed that his team has developed several innovative approaches for virus disease diagnosis and control, disease surveillance, and seed quality assurance. Dr Kumar revealed that he initiated the ‘GreenPass’ concept for fast-tracking international distribution of clean germplasm for food and agriculture research.
On his part, Charles Emembolu who oversees operations at Roar Hub First, West African Campus Tech Hub, based at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, averred that the innovation hub made tremendous progress after he had a meeting with the institution’s Vice-Chancellor in 2018.
According to him, the hub has significantly heightened empowerment, networking, and learning, as well as uniting technology-savvy students, entrepreneurs, and creative young professionals from diverse interests under one roof in 8 years.
In his presentation during the session, Director of NITHub-UNILAG, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa decried the continued lack of trust and funding which has become a “clog in the wheel” for viable innovation and capacity development.
Similarly, Professor Atsenuwa underscored the importance of adequate funding and investment in digital innovation project and initiatives. She pointed out potential avenues for increased support from both government and private sectors, and gave examples of existing partnerships within the institution to illustrate her position.
The second session gave room for discussions with female start-ups/founders on the digital ecosystem for women. The session focused on Gender Disparities in Tech, Barriers to Entry, Importance of Women’s participation & the role of Mentorship in driving Female Participation, promoting female leadership amongst others. The panelists included the Executive Director of Creative Space Startups, Grace Oluchi; CEO of Heels & Tech, Bisola Alabi; Founder, Women in Technology in Nigeria, Marther Alade; CEO, Shecluded, Ifeoma Uddoh.
The highpoint of the event was the showcase of the brilliant ideas of some students via a presentation to Dr. Barbel Kofler.
In response to the presentations, Dr. Kofler identified the critical role of innovation as a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness. She reiterated the commitment of the German government to assist innovators due to the significant hurdles that comes with turning concepts into viable commercial ventures.
The GIZ/DTC project in partnership with NITHUB-UNILAG offers incubation and acceleration of digital innovations to promote an investment-friendly and conducive learning environment within the university community and Nigeria.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel Olaifa Dosunmu
