NCC, stakeholders to support NIS in promoting ICT investment

Tue, Aug 6, 2019
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Tech

THE Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) 2019 has continued to garner supports and endorsements ahead of the Aug. 20 and 21 event in Lagos, the National Coordinator, Mr Tony Ajah said on Tuesday.

According to Ajah in a statement, the latest partnership came from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); the country’s telecom regulator that has been on the vanguard for innovations, research and developments.

He added that according to NCC, supporting NIS is in line with its commitment to promoting ICT innovation and investment opportunities and facilitating strategic collaboration and partnerships to grow the economy.

“NIS is another unique opportunity to bring together key players/actors in the Nigerian technology ecosystem to deliberate and suggest policy, framework/strategy that could further deepen the sectorial contribution to other industries.

“The collaborative Summit is a unique annual event that focuses on the need for the country, businesses, organisations, entrepreneurs to become more innovative and use innovation to drive sustainable development.

“Great innovations come out of great Innovation Ecosystems which is made up of the Government/Public Sector participation, Businesses/Private and Industry participation, the academic/Research and development institutions, Entrepreneurs/Innovators and Startups.

“Each plays key roles and working together towards the goal of innovation and technology development in Nigeria. This is what Nigeria Innovation Summit is fostering.

“This year leading local and international organisations, government agencies, businesses will host workshops to educate, inform and empower Nigerians,” Ajah said.

He said that the Summit which was opened to participation would help Nigeria embrace innovation and move in the direction of digital transformation.

He said it would also be through the use of emerging technologies and trends, research, development, commercialisation, entrepreneurship and investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem.

Ajah explained that the platform would create awareness on the need for Open Innovation in Nigeria, and challenges Nigeria to leverage innovation to become more competitive in the global economy.

He listed the confirmed speakers for the event to include Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC/CEO, NCC; Obinnia Abajue, CEO, Hygeia HMO; Bruno Woeran, European Union Affairs Manager, Merinova Technology Centre (Finland); Tosin Faniro-Dada, Head, Startups (Lagos Innovates), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund; Prof Nii Quaynor, Africa Internet Pioneer.

Others are Chairman, Ghana Dot Com; Adesola Alli, Head, Renewable Energy, Strategy and Innovation at Sterling Bank Plc., Prof. Wellington Oyibo, Director, Research and Innovation office, University of Lagos, among others.

Also, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Lagos State University (LASU), Landmark University, Mountain Top University, Igbinedion University, University of Port Harcourt, have all confirmed attendance with Bauchi, Kano, Edo and Ondo States indicating interest to participate aside other corporate organisations.

He said that the NIS, now in the fourth year, was an initiative led by Emerging Media and Advertising Services, New York, and Emerging Media Nigeria with support from TechEconomy.ng.

He disclosed the theme of the summit is, ”Accelerating Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Innovation”.

Also the lead convener and Founder of Emerging Media, Kenneth Omeruo, called on all stakeholders to emulate NCC’s gestures toward supporting innovation in the country.

According to him, Nigeria being placed 114th out of 129th in the recent Global Innovation Index was not acceptable.

“We encourage world’s leading innovation providers from academic community, government and industry to partner with us in order to connect Nigerian businesses and innovators to global innovation ecosystems,” he said. (NAN)

– Aug. 6, 2019 @ 14:21 GMT |

Tags: