A leading digital technology and data analytics expert, Olanrewaju Sa’id, with over 10 years of experience working with data, intelligent systems and analytics across multiple industries and government sectors has warned that Nigeria must urgently strengthen its partnership with SMEs and the private sector further to effectively implement the National Data Strategy (NDS), emphasizing that delays could significantly impact the nation’s digital transformation goals.

From the inception of his career, Olanrewaju has always believed in the capacity of SMEs, start ups, entrepreneurs and the Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as an integral part of nation building by contributing to national objectives and economic growth. “We’re at a critical juncture where the success of our National Data Strategy cannot rely solely on government implementation. The private sector, especially our tech startups and SMEs, must be brought into the fold. The longer we delay this collaboration, the further we fall behind in our digital transformation journey.” Sa’id warned.

This urgency is underscored by the rapid growth in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, with startup funding surging from $150 million in 2020 to $748 million in just eight months of 2022. “These numbers reflect the immense potential waiting to be tapped,” Sa’id notes. “But without swift action to integrate these innovative forces into our national strategy, we risk squandering this momentum.”

The strategy’s core priorities which includes establishing a harmonized national database and promoting data literacy and intelligence requires immediate attention and private sector expertise. “Every day we delay in harmonizing our national database and implementing advanced data systems costs us opportunities for economic growth and improved public services,” Sa’id emphasizes.

The fragmentation of our national databases isn’t just an administrative challenge – it represents missed opportunities for delivering value to citizens,” Sa’id explains. “With the rise of machine learning and AI technologies, having unified, quality data is no longer optional – it’s essential for making informed decisions and improving public services across healthcare, transportation, agriculture amongst several other sectors”

Some critical areas requiring immediate involvement includes the rapid deployment of data harmonization solutions, immediate implementation of advanced analytics for public services, state of the art infrastructure to support deployment of advanced technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligent systems and a quick rollout of nationwide data empowerment, capacity building and data literacy programs.

The private sector’s agility and innovation capabilities are not just advantages – they’re necessities for meeting our digital transformation timeline,” without rapid private sector integration, we risk falling short of our digital transformation goals. The government must act now to create channels for collaboration and ensure that SMEs and startups can immediately begin contributing to this national initiative thus ehancing further opportunities for sustainable job creation”