Thrusting innovation and forward-thinking, the Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) took place in Lagos today, bringing together visionaries, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
Themed, “Innovating for the Future”, the Nigeria Innovation Summit showcased inspiring stories, initiatives, and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
Sponsored by the visionary support of TotalEnergies, the programme’s partners included Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), CoinEx, CcHUB, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), TechEconomy, Technext, among others, surging with energy and promise.
Tony Ajah, the Programme Director of the Nigeria Innovation Summit, set the tone with welcome remarks. He emphasized the power of dialogue in driving change, stressing that talk, far from being cheap, is the precursor to transformative action. Strategic connections, he noted, are the linchpin to impactful collaborations, giving birth to a community of innovators across diverse sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and security.
“We bring people together for a forward thinking conversation. It begins with talking about it. If you want to address a problem, you must talk about it.
People say talk is cheap, but talk is cheap only to people who do not have the capacity to make it happen. We talk about areas we want to improve, like the process that will reduce the traffic in Lagos for instance.
The next is strategic connection, we align in our discussions and see how we can connect to see what we can give birth to and that will lead to strategic collaborations. That collaboration will help us form a community of like-minds who can identify problems in different sectors including health, agriculture, education, security and several areas where we see how to grow and sustain the mind that has started out in solving the problems we have identified.”
The summit resonated with stories of resilience and ingenuity. Chukwuemeka George Eze, the tenacious mind behind Revive Earth, shared his journey of overcoming obstacles to create electric vehicles, inspired by the spirit of giants like Tesla. Gbenga Sesan, the founder of Paradigm Initiative, ignited the audience with his call for youth to seize digital opportunities, urging them to carve their own paths amid challenges.
The imperative intersection of technology and agriculture found a voice in Ibrahim Maigari Ahmadu, Founder/CEO of RiceAfrika Technologies. Ahmadu revealed the stark realities faced by smallholder farmers in Nigeria and unveiled transformative solutions, emphasizing that Africa’s agricultural revolution lies in investment, not aid.
He outlined key necessities such as land preparation equipment, high-yielding seeds, and structured markets. Ahmadu’s innovative approach focused on community agency networks, unlearning/relearning, incentivization, and adoption, creating a significant impact on agricultural productivity.
Dr. Funmi Adewara, the Founder/CEO of Mobihealth International, illuminated the summit with her vision to enhance medical accessibility. Her company, founded in Nigeria and embraced globally, stands as a pioneer of affordable healthcare solutions. The company pioneered affordable medical insurance, ensuring that individuals can access healthcare services. MobiHealth’s success story highlighted the power of innovative solutions in addressing healthcare disparities.
Orok Godspower, CoinEx Nigeria Partner/Country Manager, unveiled the future of payments, simplifying the complexities of blockchain and championing a fraud-free digital landscape.
He emphasized the role of education in reducing the risks associated with blockchain, ensuring a seamless and secure experience. CoinEx Nigeria’s approach highlighted the transformative potential of digital assets in shaping the future of payments.
Jonny Baxter, the insightful British Deputy High Commissioner, highlighted the essence of partnerships in shaping future economies. His words resonated with the attendees, highlighting the need for collective efforts to streamline processes and drive sustainable growth in Nigeria.
Amidst the vibrant discussions and innovative fervor, the Nigeria Innovation Summit left a memorable mark, not merely as an event but as a force behind the nation’s persistent spirit to innovate, collaborate, and lead in shaping a progressive future.
As Nigeria embraces innovation, partnerships, and education, the nation is set to create a future where creativity and technology converge to drive progress and prosperity for all. This summit not only celebrated innovation but also ignited a spark for a brighter, more innovative future for Nigeria.
