TechPlus targets Nigeria’s dominance in global ICT ecosystem

U.S. CIO leads discussion at forum

For Nigeria to play a major role in global technology space, the need for the country to develop homegrown technologies that can compete favourably has been stressed.

Speaking ahead of this year’s technology conference-TechPlus, the Managing Director, Connect Marketing Services, organisers of the event, said the world is currently experiencing an explosion of connectivity and innovation in every area of lives, notably, education, healthcare, finance and automobile.

He added that “Nigeria needs to develop innovations in this regard to be able to compete favourably.”

Adeyinka revealed that the 2016 edition of TechPlus, which is the second, is positioned make Nigeria a dominant player in the technology world.

Scheduled for July 21 and 22, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, the Connect Marketing boss, said the theme is ‘A Connected World’, adding that experts including the United States Chief Information Officer (CIO), Tony Scott, will be on gound to educate more on technology growth.

Already, he said with technological breakthroughs springing up almost on a daily basis, the level of disruptions cannot be over-emphasised.

Adeyinka noted that Cisco had predicted that by the year 2050, 50 billion devices would have been connected to the Internet.

“Some of these devices will connect students in remote parts of the world to first grade curriculum and lessons developed in advanced climes. Some will connect patients to medical counsels in the most advanced medical facilities in the world. Some will be connected to fun and games and content assisting in advancing business performance and others will be connected to opportunities across the world”, he noted.

He disclosed that the exhibition, which has The Guardian, MTN, Samsung, Lenovo, among others as partners, targets 10000 participants; 100 exhibitors, over 3000 gamers, over 55 sessions and 80 speakers.

According to him, the event has been organized into five different tracks and segments with topics and speakers addressing the different tracks, including topics like: Smart City and eGovernment; Different capital sources and funding for startups; How disruption affects global brands; CIO and the evolution of IT; Big Data Conversion: Monetising customer service, among others.

Speaking on the lead speaker—Scott, Adeyinka informed that the American possesses over 30 years experience in the corporate technology circle before joining the United States government to drive value in IT investments, delivering world-class digital services and protecting IT assets and information with rapid technological change.

Adeyinka, said: “It is an honour to have The Man With The $84 Billion IT Budget: Federal CIO Tony Scott exchange ideas and share expert insights on key technology issues shaping and defining the way we live, work and play’.

Adeyinka further revealed that, this year’s edition of the tech show would significantly improve on the successful pioneering edition held last year in Lagos.

“Drawn from diverse sectors and unique backgrounds, the speakers’ trail reflects the dynamics of technological evolution in the 21st century with a fine blend of both local and international experiences”.

Others speakers lined up for TechPlus 2016 include Chairperson, Alliance for Affordable Internet, Dr. Omobola Johnson; Chief Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah; GM Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber, AlonLits; CEO Idea Hub, Helen Anatogu; Co-Founder and Venture Partner, 500 Startups, Monique Woodard; CEO OLX Nigeria, Lola Masha; Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu A. Aziz and Co-Founder, SureGifts, Olaoluwa Samuel-Biyi.

Others include Professor of Economics and Strategic Management and Head of IESE’s Strategic Management Department, Spain, Prof. Joan EnricRicart; Acting DG, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Vincent Olatunji; Former Smart City Director & Deputy CIO (Barcelona City Council), Josep Ramon Ferrer; Rodney Williams Founder, LISNR; KarthikNoornie, CIO Olam Group; Vytas Paukštys, CEO Eskimi and Kamran Elahian, Chairman & Co-Founder of Global Catalyst Partners, among others.