Nigeria cannot afford to engage with digital technology as if it is a magic pill that can cure all its problems. It needs a coherent and comprehensive policy framework, a coordinated and collaborative approach, and a long-term vision that invests in the future. Otherwise, the country risks becoming a conduit of extraction for foreign interests that exploit its talent, knowledge and data.
One of the potential problems is that Nigeria is not paying enough attention to the broader ecosystem that supports digital technology. For example, the Nigeria Startup Act, which was passed by the National Assembly, is a commendable initiative that aims to create a conducive environment for startups in the country. However, the act seems to assume that digital technology is the only sector that produces startups, and that all technology is digital.
This is a narrow and misleading perspective that ignores the diversity and dynamism of the Nigerian entrepreneurial landscape. In fact, the act does not even mention the existing network of technology business incubation centres managed by the National Board for Technology Business Incubation (NBTI), which has been supporting technology-based enterprises across various sectors for over two decades.
This raises the suspicion that the act was influenced by a certain interest group that momentarily captured the policy making machinery of the state to serve its own purpose. In fact, there is a website that presents the Act as a ‘joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential of our digital economy through co-created regulations. The Act is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s laws and regulations are clear, planned and work for the tech ecosystem.’ This is not how progress happens.
Another potential problem is that Nigeria is not actively investing in building markets for digital technology, despite several ongoing efforts to develop digital technology skills. In the last year or two, there is no shortage of new programmes, interventions and initiatives to build skills in different parts of the digital technology value chain.
These projects target different catchment groups, ranging from school children to entrepreneurs and academics. These are laudable initiatives that can boost the supply of talent and knowledge in the field of digital technology.
However, they are not enough. Without creating a corresponding demand for digital technology, these initiatives will not have the desired impact. Contrary to what may seem obvious, some of Nigeria’s largest sectors have limited readiness and hence demand for digital technology.
Take education, for instance. How many schools – at any level – are able to deploy digital technology at scale? Without markets, there will be no demand for skills. We will then end up training our young people for export, rather than for domestic development.
Egbetokun is Senior Lecturer in Business Management, Leicester Castle Business School De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom ([email protected])
