Experts Call For Sustainable Digital Platforms To Drive Transformation

Experts in the Nigerian technology sector have called for sustainable digital platforms that will guarantee true transformation for Nigeria’s economy of the future.

This was the outcome of the speakers at the panel session at the Digital Jurist Awards 2024 organised by Phillips Consulting (pcl)  in Lagos recently with the theme: “Digital Transformation: Building Sustainable Platforms for The Future.”

Founder & CEO of Beyond Limits Africa, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, in a keynote address emphasised the transformative power of digital technology in driving sustainable growth across sectors, saying the building sustainable platforms enable organisations to gain and maintain a competitive edge.

She stressed that a sustainable digital transformation must be robust, resilient, fast, easy to navigate, scalable, continuously improving, and secure. She concluded with a powerful reminder that “technology is only as good as its application; technology is the now and the future.”

Chief strategy & innovation officer, MTN Nigeria, Babalola Oyeleye, said, “to effectively personalise services and products, connecting AI and data management is essential, enabling us to draw insights from data and make informed decisions. This approach allows us to tailor experiences that meet individual customer needs.”

Chief information security officer, FCMB, Ayowole Popoola, remarked on the importance of integrating cybersecurity into digital transformation strategies from the very beginning, stating, “How organisations can ensure that cybersecurity is an integral part of their digital transformation strategies, rather than treating it as an afterthought” He stated that “To ensure cybersecurity is integral to digital transformation strategies, organisations must integrate security considerations from the outset, involving all stakeholders in the planning process.”

MD/CEO, ChamsSwitch Limited, Dumebi Obodo, added valuable insights on user-centred design, stressing that “The job is not complete if your customer service is called more often when developing new platforms.” This highlights the critical need for comprehensive user research to create intuitive and user-friendly platforms that reduce reliance on customer support and enhance user experience from the outset.

He also suggested that organisations carry out annual audits on data issues.

Head, Information Technology Projects Clearance, NITDA, Dr Usman Abdullahi, reinforced on digital sustainability. He emphasised the critical role of stakeholders in creating sustainable and adaptable regulatory frameworks to support the digital ecosystem.

Dr. Usman pointed out that consumer protection is paramount, noting, “User Protection is the key to a sustainable platform.” He advocated for regulations that are not only quality-driven and strategic but also accessible and inclusive to serve the global digital community effectively. He added that leaders should craft flexible regulations to accommodate evolving digital trends while safeguarding users’ interests.

Partner Digital Technology Consulting, pcl., Jason Ikegwu,  remarked that this year, the Digital Jurist Award has assessed digital touchpoints for 338 organisations and conducted assessments across ten sectors over the last 17 years.