In the rapidly evolving global landscape, Nigeria finds itself at a crucial point in its technological journey.
Mr. Abraham Great, a visionary voice in the tech space and a leadership expert, recently shared his insights on the challenges facing the industry and the vast opportunities that lie ahead.
With a deep understanding of the critical role of stable infrastructure, particularly electricity, the chairman and chief executive officer, Great Dynasty Group, which has subsidiaries in the UK, Nigeria, Ireland, and North America, identified unequal distribution of dividends of technology in Nigeria as one of the challenges in the ecosystem which requires proactive policies by the government and innovative thinking to make amends.
Abraham, who is also the CEO of a top immigration company, Straight Visas, and the CEO of Golden Pen, a publisher, and producer of books and music, was a guest speaker at a webinar organized by Techeconomy, virtually, where he invited us to reimagine Nigeria’s tech future.
He highlighted the untapped potential of its people and resources.
The theme of the webinar, “Nigeria Tech Space: From Independence to the Digital Age,” is part of a monthly series organized by Techeconomy Business Series, the research and market intelligence unit of Techeconomy.
This initiative aims to provide a dynamic platform for industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to explore the evolution of Nigeria’s technology landscape.
By bridging the gap between past experiences and future possibilities, the webinar series seeks to inspire and equip participants with the tools and insights necessary to navigate and thrive in Nigeria’s rapidly advancing digital ecosystem.
Join us as we explore his compelling vision for transforming challenges into opportunities in Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem. Excerpt:
The Challenges
‘’In Nigeria, there is an infrequent power supply, which makes it difficult and expensive for businesses and therefore limits technological advancements.
‘’The government should be lobbied to provide permanent electricity so that the tech industry can thrive. There is a lot of potential that can be harnessed in Nigeria if there is uninterrupted electricity,’’ he said.
Speaking from his personal experience, he said, ‘’One of the impediments to the tech sector right from independence till now is the government’s lack of regulation and deregulation.
‘’Apparently, in the 1970s, before people could get approval from the government to have a phone line in their homes it could take about 8 to 10 years.
‘’The government refuses to see the possibilities and opportunities in ideas like blockchain, for instance, they tend to see ideas as negative and threatening so they shut it down.
‘’The regulations of the government are usually hostile and feel attacking, instead, it should come off as forward-thinking and helpful to enhance technological advancement.
The Opportunities
‘’Technology is everything so what is needed now is to spot opportunities. Attending technological trade fairs all around the world both online and on site is a way of enlarging a person’s mind to spot opportunities.
‘’Another way to spot opportunities is to meditate to get brainchild. By doing this you can have a eureka moment where you can have ideas that have not existed before.’’ He said.
Mr. Abraham also spoke about how Nigerians are born with ‘genius genes’ making the average Nigerian excel in whatever venture wherever they find themselves.
According to him, ‘’Nigerians are not leveraging on a lot of things that are abundant to them just as Agriculture.
‘’There are lots of plants especially medicinal or herbal that can be packaged and developed into products that will be in demand by the whole world using technology.
‘’One big issue that is plaguing the country is that the dividends of technology are not equitable presently.
Mr. Abraham Great states that it will always be like that. His reason is that there are opportunities available and it depends on how every person makes use of the opportunity that is provided.
His Advice
Mr. Abraham, who is also a clergyman and content creator, concluded by advising employers and employees in the tech industry to create a work-friendly environment by implementing good policies.
“Employers should ensure that their employees are well catered for and employees should respectfully speak up if they notice any inconveniences. All these will build a better work environment and improve productivity and efficiency,” he concluded.
