The recent International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in Kano, dubbed "Connovate 2025," was more than a gathering of tech professionals; it was a rallying cry for Nigeria's digital sovereignty.
At its core was a powerful message from NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, who declared that the nation's path to prosperity lies not in the endless adoption of foreign technologies, but in the cultivation of our own indigenous, intelligent innovations. This is a vital and timely intervention that must be heeded by every stakeholder, from government and industry to academia and the youth.
Dr. Aliyu's point is a hard truth we must confront. While Nigeria has enthusiastically embraced the digital age, much of our technological infrastructure and the very solutions we depend on are imported. This reliance leaves us vulnerable to external control, limits our economic potential, and stifles the creative spirit of our own innovators. The president’s vision of a viable technological infrastructure is not just about connectivity; it's about building a foundation that enhances efficiency in agriculture, healthcare, and education with tools created by Nigerians, for Nigerians. This is the essence of true digital independence.
The choice of Kano as the host city was no accident. It signifies a deliberate and strategic effort to decentralize the tech conversation and foster a collaborative environment in a region ripe for digital transformation. By actively engaging with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who Dr. Aliyu praised as a "builder of a new Kano State," the NCS is demonstrating that the future of technology is not confined to a few urban centers. It's a national project that requires grassroots support and political will.
"Connovate 2025" was a "showcase for action" because it offered a blueprint. The dedicated sessions on Fintech Innovations, sustainable energy solutions, and youth entrepreneurship weren't just academic discussions. They were platforms to cultivate the next generation of Nigerian tech professionals who will move from being consumers of foreign solutions to creators of homegrown ones.
The NCS's mission is clear: to build a resilient, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem. This goal can only be achieved by nurturing local talent and providing the platforms for them to thrive. As Dr. Aliyu aptly put it, the conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to build meaningful connections. Now, it is up to all of us—the government, the private sector, and the young innovators—to turn those connections into a reality. The future of Nigeria's prosperity is not in Silicon Valley or any other foreign hub; it is right here, waiting to be built by us.
Dr. Aliyu's point is a hard truth we must confront. While Nigeria has enthusiastically embraced the digital age, much of our technological infrastructure and the very solutions we depend on are imported. This reliance leaves us vulnerable to external control, limits our economic potential, and stifles the creative spirit of our own innovators. The president’s vision of a viable technological infrastructure is not just about connectivity; it's about building a foundation that enhances efficiency in agriculture, healthcare, and education with tools created by Nigerians, for Nigerians. This is the essence of true digital independence.
The choice of Kano as the host city was no accident. It signifies a deliberate and strategic effort to decentralize the tech conversation and foster a collaborative environment in a region ripe for digital transformation. By actively engaging with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who Dr. Aliyu praised as a "builder of a new Kano State," the NCS is demonstrating that the future of technology is not confined to a few urban centers. It's a national project that requires grassroots support and political will.
"Connovate 2025" was a "showcase for action" because it offered a blueprint. The dedicated sessions on Fintech Innovations, sustainable energy solutions, and youth entrepreneurship weren't just academic discussions. They were platforms to cultivate the next generation of Nigerian tech professionals who will move from being consumers of foreign solutions to creators of homegrown ones.
The NCS's mission is clear: to build a resilient, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem. This goal can only be achieved by nurturing local talent and providing the platforms for them to thrive. As Dr. Aliyu aptly put it, the conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to build meaningful connections. Now, it is up to all of us—the government, the private sector, and the young innovators—to turn those connections into a reality. The future of Nigeria's prosperity is not in Silicon Valley or any other foreign hub; it is right here, waiting to be built by us.
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