Akume urges organisations to harness emerging technologies for national growth

<strong>George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has urged organisations to harness emerging technologies to drive Nigeria’s national aspirations.

He made the call on Monday at the Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIM) annual conference, with the theme ‘Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Drive Innovation, Creativity and Productivity.’

Our correspondent monitored the conference online from Lagos.

Represented by Mr Francis Ikyenge, Director at the Office of the Secretary to the Federation, Akume described technology as the foundation of national competitiveness and institutional relevance.

He told organisations that adopting emerging technologies would help transform challenges into opportunities and accelerate sustainable development across various sectors of the economy.

Akume said Nigeria’s youthful population and growing digital economy made the conversation on emerging technologies especially critical for the nation’s future progress.

He noted that Nigeria had a unique opportunity to adopt and adapt technologies to drive productivity in governance, agriculture, industry, education, health and services.

“Innovation and creativity, powered by technology, can unlock efficiency, reduce costs, enhance transparency, and ultimately improve citizens’ quality of life,” Akume stated.

He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had consistently demonstrated commitment to harnessing emerging technologies as catalysts for transformation, innovation and productivity.

Akume added that by prioritising artificial intelligence, digital finance, renewable energy and youth-focused innovation hubs, President Tinubu was ensuring Nigeria remained aligned with global technological trends.

He commended the NIM for convening the conference, describing it as a platform shaping Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.

“The Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation, including investments in digital infrastructure, capacity building, research support and partnerships with the private sector and academia,” he said.

He added that collective efforts were vital to harness emerging technologies in achieving Nigeria’s national aspirations.

NIM President, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), said forward-looking nations and organisations must leverage technologies to drive innovation, creativity and productivity.

Ayuba described the annual management conference as the flagship of the institute’s programmes and an important contribution to nation building.

He said the conference’s outcomes would form strategies and recommendations which NIM would present to government and stakeholders to foster a technologically viable nation.

Ayuba also stressed the need for a peaceful environment, saying meaningful development could not thrive in chaos or insecurity.

“The Institute urges all Nigerians to join hands with the present administration to move the country forward,” he said.

He charged professional colleagues to uphold discipline, efficiency, integrity, accountability, equity and transparency in their lives, workplaces and the nation at large.

“It is only when we give our best that we can drive the aggregates of national development,” Ayuba added.