Investment One Financial Services Limited wants Nigerians to really think about some of the tech ideas that are shaping the future, and consider investing in them.
This important message is the key takeaway from a symposium organised yesterday in Lagos, as part of the activities marking the company’s ten years anniversary.
The event saw the gathering of some of the leading experts across five key sectors — Technology, Finance, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Media — who spoke to investors and the general public on the topic Ideas shaping the Future.
The world is changing before our eyes thanks to tech
One of the experts at the event is Mr Bolaji Lawal, the Head of Digital Banking at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. He said the future is all about digital technology and that the phenomenon will eventually become more than just an enabler “but at the core of everything we do.”
This is because regardless of the current nature of your occupation, it will eventually become technology-first in no distant time.
To buttress his point, Mr Lawal cited the revolution that has taken place in the banking sector and how GTBank has particularly been able to leverage digital technology to distinguish itself as a leader in the Nigerian financial industry.
Speaking further, he disclosed that technology has helped Guaranty Trust Bank to grow from five million customers to about thirteen million customers over the course of just five years.
He also gave the example of media companies like Linda Ikeji Blog who have successfully used technology to build companies that can successfully compete with traditional media platforms.
Meanwhile, as technology continues to disrupt the business environment whilst taking jobs away from people, there is the need for Nigeria to develop a national strategy that will accommodate future developments in the field, he said.
You don’t need to go to school to partake in the digital revolution
Another expert at the event, Mr Aniedi Udo-Obong, a Programme Manager at Google. He said advancements in global technology has made it possible for anyone to become a part of the revolution.
This, therefore, calls into the question the importance of the formal education system as we know it. In other words, Nigerians need to rethink school and work. He also reiterated the need for a national plan for digital technology.
Meanwhile, technology could potentially solve Nigeria’s future food needs
According to the Co-Founder of Farmcrowdy Ms Tope Omotolani, the world’s population has been projected to increase exponentially by 2050. And already, companies like hers are thinking of the roles technology can play towards the production of the food that will feed Nigerians by then.
She said so far, Farmcrowdy has successfully used technology to disrupt the Nigerian agric sector. But their achievements so far is not enough to take care of the future needs that will arise.
As such, the company continues to innovate, because “innovation is not a one-stop thing.” The company also needs Nigerians to invest in the type of digital solution to farming which they proffer; which by the way is a great way to invest.
Technology is also solving health problems
According to Dr Tokunbo Ali, the future of healthcare has to be digital. This is because digital technology has the potential to proffer solution to a wide range of the biggest problems plaguing the healthcare system.
Dr Ali, who represented the CEO of AXA Mansard Plc, gave examples of the challenges facing the Nigerian healthcare system to include the unavailability of healthcare professionals, the rising cost of healthcare, a growing demand for healthcare, patients’ inability to access their medical records, and a reduction in the patient satisfaction index.
Already, some of the biggest tech companies are already investing in technologies that offer solution to some of the problems enumerated above, he said. He cited examples of artificial intelligence being used for non-invasive surgeries, and wearable wrist watch by Apple which can detect ailments at its earliest stages.
He also noted that patients’ medical records can be safely stored in the cloud and easily accessed by the patients and whoever they grant access.
But to achieve all these, Nigerians must be willing to invest in digital technology.
In nutshell, technology is essential and Nigerians must innovate or die!
Speaking on what he termed “techpocalypse”, the Founder and CEO of X3M Ideas, Mr Steve Babaeko, said it has become imperative for Nigerians to innovate.
Giving his vote of thanks, the GMD of Investment One Financial Services Limited, Mr Nicholas Nyamali said the company is celebrating ten years of innovation and excellence. He also used the occasion to urge Nigerians to prepare for the future of tech.
The event was moderated by our very own Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, the Founder and Publisher of Nairametrics.
