Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, called for the adoption of technology-driven strategies to combat terrorism, cybercrime and border security challenges facing Nigeria and Africa.
According to Shettima while Africa and Nigeria are navigating some of the most troubling times in security and economy, the challenges requires innovative solutions.
The Vice President, speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), acknowledged the current security and economic challenges in Nigeria.
He said: “Africa and Nigeria are currently navigating some of the most troubling times, especially in the security and economic arenas. The challenges we face require innovative solutions and AI presents a vista of opportunities to address issues in agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion, and security.”
The Vice President also said Nigeria’s youthful population, with an average age of 16.9 years, was a significant asset.
He noted that advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) would present significant opportunities to improve sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion and security.
Earlier, Commandant Joseph Obule Odama of NISS lauded the success of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17, which commenced in February 2024 with 91 participants from Nigeria’s military, paramilitary, federal and state ministries, and five African countries, including Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda, and The Gambia.
“The theme for this year’s course, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects’, has fostered rigorous academic discussion, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving,” Odama said.
MEANWHILE, the Senior Talent Programme Manager, Salesforce, Ursula Fear, has said Africa needs collaboration to benefit from 11.6 million AI-powered jobs, adding that Nigeria should work towards being the next to India.
According to her, for Africa to benefit significantly from the 11.6 million AI-powered Sales force jobs by 2028, it will need to collaborate more and have a united front, invest in training of its youths and others.
Fear said by creating new pathways into tech for diverse talents, Africa would level the playing field and help to shape a more inclusive future.
“My mission to Nigeria is about spreading opportunities of Salesforce beyond South Africa. This is about the localisation of talents and what that can transform. We are stressing the power of collaboration and partnership. Individuals or the government can’t do that alone, so the opportunity to start with a different base and look forward to something greater is the most exciting thing. The number of smart people in Nigeria is unbelievable, the people just need a chance and someone to believe in them,” she said.
On how to bridge the African digital gap, she said: “I think with intention, we will impact the society, climate change through business; so, the opportunity of Salesforce Africa through its philosophy and value can be emulated.”
