NIS2016: NCC, Dokita, SFH, Others Discuss Innovation in Nigeria

The innovative application of ICT in some other sectors of the economy in Nigeria has become one of the major successful outcomes of the country’s telecommunications regulations, according to Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

The EVC who spoke through Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs at the Commission at the opening of two-day Nigeria Innovation Conference (#nis2016), cited the pharmaceutical industry where the authenticity of drugs are now verified through the use of mobile phones, as one of the innovations powered by telecommunications industry.

He said that in the agricultural sector, “We are all aware of the innovation where farmers were equipped with mobile phones and they are able to be reached for distribution of fertilizers and other critical infrastructure that have given them better yields.

“In the movie industry, as represented by Nollywood, the Commission has taken steps to collaborate with the actors and producers evolve better ways to distribute their contents to the worldwide audience and also to improve their production capabilities through the application of relevant technologies available in other parts of the world”.

The EVC said that innovation is one of the main eight-point agenda of the current leadership of the Commission. “The fourth item of that agenda, in particular, seeks to promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities. By this, the Commission makes conscious efforts to promote ICT innovations in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increase investments in youths, and promote SMEs for new businesses deliveries and breakthroughs”.

Speaking on ‘How Nigeria Higher Education System can drive Innovation: Opportunities for Collaboration and Partnership for Economic Development’, Dr. Tunde Adekola, senior education specialist at World Bank, said “What it means to be ‘innovative’ in 2015 may be different than it was in 1885 or 1985 (and it will perhaps be different still in 2085). That said, there is little argument that, whatever the year, and wherever you are, basic numeracy and literacy skills are fundamental to one’s education and ability to navigate successfully through life now require learning and innovation skills , statistical literacy,  digital literacy skills, life and career skills”.

He said that both innovation and higher education are important for national development and must be value added, as “In midst of competition, time is also of essence. It is not only about what we know but when do we know it. Innovation makes all the difference between a developed and marginalized economy “

“Developing countries will have little success boosting economic growth and reducing poverty unless they can close a growing “S&T Innovation” divide between themselves and richer countries. With on-going recession or depression and the resolve of this gathering to strengthening partnership collaboration and cooperation between states and non-state actors, there is now and unique opportunity for innovation, interconnectivity, invigoration and inclusiveness for quality and S&T education.

He added that quality education remains the critical determinant of a country’s economic growth and standard of living as learning outcomes are transformed into goods and services, greater institutional capacity, a more effective public sector, a stronger civil society, and a better investment climate.

Also speaking, Dr. Daniel Folukoya, founder and CEO, OneDokita, Healthcare Limited, said that as young inventors they were challenged by the poor patient-doctor interface in the Nigeria’s healthcare system, hence the development of 1dokita platform.

“On the course of our research, the need for reliable data in the healthcare system actually informed the innovation- Onedokita. For instance, we may want to pick up cases for treatment like Diabetes; we know people in England have such cases at different levels, because statistics are there to assist your programme. But when we are looking at the Nigerian situation, digitally, there is very little data on that. What we actually is that there are data on HIV, malaria and tuberculoses (TB).

“But these illnesses come and kill quickly in terms of the worst case scenario. But what happens is that as you are treating HIV, malaria and TB, the life span of each person becomes longer, however the lifestyle diseases like hypertension, if you ask anybody about the data, we do not know,” he said.

He however called for more flexible regulatory system to spur more innovations in the country. “Nigeria is economically in recession, but technologically we are turning a corner reaching a threshold that will ‘burst’ and expand, which will trigger a turnaround in the nation’s economy. Due to our optimism we are building relationships and trusts in the market. We just need to recognise innovation in whatever sector of the country by way of flexible regulations”.

Meanwhile, Sir Bright Ekweremadu, managing director, Society for Family Health (SFH), said that over time, the public health sector in Nigeria has experienced increase in the use of innovative strategies and technologies in the delivery of health care services.

He highlighted some of the innovations as include the use of mobile technologies in data management, task shifting strategies to curb the effect of shortage of human resources, the use of mobile doctors to deliver health services in emergencies by the Flying Doctors Nigeria, effective containment of Ebola Virus Disease through prompt case management, surveillance, contact tracing, communication and social mobilization by Ebola Alert among others.

Ekweremadu said that SFH as a leading public health non-governmental organisation in Nigeria, with over 30 years of experience in delivering public health services adopts various innovative strategies in the delivery of health services to empower Nigerians particularly the poor and vulnerable, to lead healthier lives in line with her mission statement.

The speakers unanimously called for improved support from the government for conducive environment, especially to protect ‘weak’ innovators from the giant companies.