On Tuesday, 17 August 2021, the Telecommunications and Technology Working Group (TTSWG), in collaboration with key partners, organised its first webinar themed ‘Collaboration for a Resilient ICT Sector’ – a virtual event which sought to address various national issues by mobilising human and material capital available to stakeholders in the sector to ensure sustainable practices that benefit the sector and the country at large.
Giving open remarks on the topic ‘Business Case for a Sustainability Driver’, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, pointed out that “the intrinsic value to sustainability can be found in its dual materiality i.e., it can be measured by not only finance but in stakeholder value as well”.
The webinar was moderated by Dr Omowunmi Hassan, President/CEO High-Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth and had panelists such as Chris Uwaje, Chair, Mobile Software Solutions Limited; ‘Deremi Atanda, Director, Systemspecs; and Eno Udoma-Eniang, Head, Government & Legislative Affairs, 9Mobile, lead conversations.
Ms Udoma-Eniang while speaking, discussed the need for ICT providers to revolve, re-invent and reposition themselves, especially with the changes that have resulted from COVID-19. She also mentioned the need for organisations to look towards being innovative solution providers.
By the end of the webinar, all panelists proffered recommendations and action points to the TTSWG towards achieving resilience in the sector which include:
- Set Milestones: There is the need to design milestones for the sector for the next five years.
- ICT Policy Awareness Creation: The TTWSG should make a compilation of all existing ICT policies in Nigeria and distill them into a handbook for all industry practitioners. This is so that all are aware of all available policies.
- Collaborate with the Nigerian Government: The problems of the ICT sector are too big for one stakeholder group to fight, so it is important for organisations to not only collaborate with each other, but with the government.
- Innovation Compendium: The creation of a list of the circa 100 top ICT innovations or projects that have been undertaken in Nigeria with positive impact.
- Digital Museum: The development of a digital museum in Nigeria that will showcase innovation by Nigerians both home and abroad. This will have a positive effect on the average Nigerian and may enhance governance.
- Gender Prioritisation: Take gender issues into consideration as this is fundamental to the achievement of the TTSWG and SD goals. The inclusion of the girl-child should be a drive in the sector.
- Expert Working Groups: The facilitation of expert groups within the TTSWG to drive sectoral governance.
- Advocacy: Aim to be a voice that will resonate to the rest of the country positively for a national telecommunications/ICT thinktank, that will directly advise the President.
- Interconnect Local and Diasporan Technology: Create an interconnectedness between local technology and international technology.
TTSWG will through the course of the year, work with interested entities to address some of the challenges highlighted, particularly on the need to create awareness to and educate the public as much as possible. Even as the Group progresses, partnerships are essential as they exponentially increase the impact of the work that is in progress and help to achieve the collective mission.