WorldStage Newsonline– The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has advocated the integration of pervasive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), block-chain, and cloud computing to propel Nigeria towards economic growth and enhanced governance.
Mr Gabriel Idahosa, President, LCCI, made the call at the LCCI-Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Conference on Saturday in Lagos.
The event had the theme: “Transforming Nigeria’s Business and Governance through Pervasive Technology: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Block chain and Cloud.”
Idahosa noted that in an era where technological advancements dictated the pace of global development, Nigeria stood at a pivotal juncture and must take necessary bold steps to explore emerging opportunities.
He stated that by embracing these technologies, the country had the opportunity to address longstanding challenges, foster innovation, and be well positioned as a leader in the digital age.
The LCCI president noted that while the global adoption of AI had been remarkable, 70 per cent of Nigeria’s online population had used generative AI, surpassing the global average of 48 per cent.
This statistic and many more, he noted, underscored national readiness to harness AI’s potential.
“In practical terms, AI can revolutionise our agricultural sector by providing predictive analytics for crop yields, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions.
“In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostic tools can enhance accuracy and efficiency, addressing some of the challenges in our medical infrastructure.
“Block chain technology, characterised by its decentralised and immutable nature, offers solutions to issues of transparency, security, and trust—critical components in both business and governance,” he said.
Idahosa added that cloud computing had become the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, offering scalable resources and fostering innovation.
He quoted a study by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that the increased adoption of cloud computing in Nigeria could generate an additional economic value of N30.2 trillion by 2033.
The LCCI president, however, noted that only 27 per cent of organisations in Nigeria had adopted cloud computing, compared to 49 per cent in Western Europe and North America.
“This gap presents a significant opportunity for growth as investing in cloud infrastructure can enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and gain access to global markets,” he said.
Idahosa called for a strategic and coordinated approach to harnessing the potential of AI, block chain, and cloud computing.
According to him, this begins with the development of comprehensive policies that promote innovation while maintaining ethical standards and ensuring security.
“For these technologies to be widely adopted, governments and organisations must prioritise building data centres, expanding broadband access, and strengthening cybersecurity measures.
“Finally, fostering public-private partnerships can accelerate innovation and the implementation of technology-driven solutions.
“Such collaborations can bridge gaps in resources, expertise, and execution, ultimately driving broader adoption and impact,” Idahosa said.
