Experts in the technology space have urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of emerging technologies in solving African problems. This is as they implore youths to take bold steps as building any meaningful enterprise requires bold thinking.These advices were given at the third edition of the Ibadan Tech Expo which took place at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
The tech programme, which was sponsored by OHMOBILITY in partnership with the Oyo State Government, Cchub and a host of other tech enterprises both in and outside Ibadan saw many tech experts, enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, business owners and students gathered to share and gain insights on the latest tech innovations and to give a platforms for emerging tech enterprises and startups.
This is also as tech giants like OHMOBILITY win multiple awards of excellence and startups like DNIPAY also scooping awards such as startup of the year.
Speaking on the theme: “The Future belongs to the bold thinkers”, during the event, the first keynote speaker, Tim Cookey-Gam, Principal, Partech VC, noted that it is difficult to build any enterprise in Africa due to the shortage and lack of required infrastructure. Hence, it is imperative that youths in the tech space take bold steps in order to build enterprise that can solve emerging problems.
He stressed the importance of bold thinking and taking bold steps which will make anyone leave their comfort zones and step out to build global enterprises.
He added that Nigerian youths must understand that tech is the future, although it is not as if there are no other areas but every other areas of human endeavour will rely on tech for enhanced performance.
He urged them not to let locations be a barrier as great minds comes from different parts of Nigeria.
Also speaking, an economic analyst at the French Embassy to Nigeria, Claire Lavielle expressed optimism in the future of Nigerian tech space noting that Nigerians are doing well in the tech space and it is only a matter of time before they catch up with their peers in developed nations.
She stressed that the French government is always ready to assist Nigerian Youths in technology in various capacities while giving the assurance of support in whatever way possible.
The various panel session which held saw experts from different industries teach in the numerous advantage of technology and the imbibing of both technical and soft skills. It was also iterated that Nigerian educational system has to evolve from focusing on theories alone to practical and technical education which will give students advantage to be familiar with the mode of work on the outside world.
Delivering his goodwill address, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Amofin Beulah Adeoye appreciated Mr Danjuma for organising Ibadan Tech Expo noting that it will serve as a spring board for various technological innovations in the years to come.
He also charge the attendees to be committed and focused on whatever they are building as ideas that change the world may not always look like it but in retrospect, they become global phenomenon.
He further urged them to not give up on their dreams stressing that the process they are going through which is not always a very easy one is what will make whatever they are doing successful.
Also speaking, Dr Temidayo Oniosun, CEO, Space in Africa, who was known to have sent ‘egusi’ melon seed to space through a NASA space programme commended the giant strides of Nigerian youths in tech space especially around Finance, delivery and logistics, tech working space and ecosystem. He however lamented the oversaturation of these spaces while other areas lack attention.
He urged youths intending to venture into tech or planing to create a tech ecosystem to look beyond the popular areas and build something in areas that are not saturated but are very crucial in human development.
The highlights of the programmes is the presentation of awards of excellence to performing tech firms, entrepreneurs and techies; giving away of three laptops and other gadgets.
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