The Country Director of the Chemonics Global Health Supply Chain-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) Project in Nigeria, Michael Egboh, has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize investments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) as a pathway to accelerating national development.
The international development professional and public health advocate spoke on Monday in Abuja at the 2025 annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) with the theme: ‘Leveraging emerging technologies to drive innovation, creativity and productivity’.
The conference, which drew stakeholders from across the country, is expected to generate strategies and recommendations that will be shared with government and decision-makers as part of efforts to build a technologically viable Nigeria.
Egboh, the keynote speaker, stressed that the future of global economies is shaped by technological innovation, and Nigeria must not be left behind in harnessing these advancements for growth.
According to him, embracing robotics and AI will not only transform productivity across various sectors but also position the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
Egboh explained that robotics and AI offer opportunities to boost efficiency in health, agriculture, education, and manufacturing, where automation can enhance service delivery and minimize human limitations.
He further highlighted that investing in cutting-edge technologies would contribute significantly to job creation by opening new frontiers in technology-driven careers.
Egboh urged the government to adopt forward-looking policies and allocate resources that support research, innovation hubs, and partnerships with the private sector. He maintained that deliberate investment in robotics and AI is crucial for Nigeria to diversify its economy away from dependence on oil and align with the global shift toward knowledge-based economies.
He said by creating an enabling environment for technology to thrive, Nigeria can unlock new opportunities for growth, enhance its competitiveness, and drive sustainable economic development for its citizens.
His words: “We need to establish a clear national strategy integrating AI, blockchain, and cloud with sector-specific road maps. We need to set standards for research and development, investment, startup funding and local talent development, create cross-agency coordination bodies to reduce fragmentation, because there are so many agencies doing their own thing. Unless we coordinate, unless we integrate, we will be shooting arrows in the blank, arrows in the sky.
“Then investment in education and talent pipelines, need to introduce AI, data literacy, and cybersecurity in curricula; scale boot camps, scholarships, and apprenticeship in tech hubs and universities, promote local language AI resource centers to improve accessibility.
“We need to build an enabling digital infrastructure, expand affordable, high-speed internet access nationwide, including rural areas, accelerate 5G deployment with neutral host models to reduce cost, invest in data centers and cloud regional hubs to reduce latency and data sovereignty concerns; support startups and strengthen data governance and security.
“Use digital twins to plan urban development, water, and electricity networks. We need to also enhance the intellectual property ecosystem, strengthen IP protection for software, hardware, and AI-generated work, provide accessible IP services and education for startups and researchers.
“Also importantly, we need to promote digital inclusion and sustainable growth, ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, rural communities, and women in technology, align technology initiatives with climate goals and sustainable development”.
In his address of welcome, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), charged Nigerians and institutions across the country to leverage emerging technologies to drive innovation, creativity, and productivity.
Ayuba described the Annual National Management Conference as the flagship event of the Institute and a vital contribution to nation-building.
According to him, the conference provides a platform for experts, policymakers, and professionals to deliberate on pressing national issues and recommend solutions to government and stakeholders.
He noted that this year’s theme reflects the Institute’s recognition that technology has become the “new normal” and a critical driver of development in every forward-looking nation.
In his goodwill message, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said President Bola Tinubu has consistently demonstrated commitment to harnessing emerging technologies as a catalyst for national transformation, innovation, and productivity.
Represented by Francis Nyenge, Sen. Akume noted that through initiatives such as the launch of the Nigeria Startup Act, creation of a Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and targeted investments in broadband expansion, digital skills, and tech-enabled entrepreneurship, the present administration is laying the groundwork for a knowledge-driven economy.
He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation to thrive.
