The Africa Information Technology Exhibition and Empowerment Initiative (AfriTEX), an NGO, has called for a policy framework that would drive an initiative towards the country becoming a smart city and digital economy.
Mr Oyesola Oworu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AfriTEX disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
Oworu said the organisation is set to hold a summit from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, a stakeholders’ forum that would focus on how to integrate technology into how the cities function and as well provide solutions on how city develops.
According to him, stakeholders from private and public sectors as well as professional bodies would deliberate on proffering a policy framework that would become an act of government to transit to smart cities.
“Technology is changing the ways cities and economies evolve, helping to respond to challenges of rapid urbanisation and pressure that is exercised on infrastructure. AfriTEX is committed to working with stakeholders to promoting digital economy for Nigeria and Africa at large.
“The forum is expected to identify substantial opportunities to build inclusive sustainable smart economies through leadership and collaboration to maximise the interoperability of new technologies across different industries.
“This mega forum will be an innovative platform in promoting smart cities development and digital economy that are in sync with the latest innovations and to understand the potential of implementing cutting-edge smart, safe, secure and sustainable digital economy,” he said.
Oworu, therefore, called on the government to join the rest of the world to key into smart solutions to tackle the insecurity of the country and have better surveillance system for the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Miebaka Adoki, Chairman of AfriTEX, said there was need to have a smart government who would put together documentations that would guide the development of a smart city.
Adoki said that the idea of having a smart city by a nation was to use technology to make the life of the citizens easier.
He urged the country to take a cue from China whose entire economy was driven by technology saying that as of today, China was the smartest nation in the entire world.
According to him, 10 things make a city smart and among these are the functionality of the building, policy of government, environmental factors and the Internet of Things, among others.
“How prepared is Nigeria to enter the era of smart solutions? No nation will wait for Nigeria because the smart solutions has come to stay.
“ Cities all over the world is emerging to becoming smart and nobody will wait for Nigeria. We cannot in anyway avoid this because it is for the uplift and development of human.
“ We need to catch up with the rest of the world and be in tune with what is happening around the globe.
“ So, as a country, we need to come together to provide a policy framework that will lead to a policy direction for the country to have smart cities, “he said. (NAN)