By Olayinka Latona

Experts in Nigeria’s technology sector have emphasized the pivotal role of digital technologies in driving sustainable development.

This call was made during a panel session at the 2024 Digital Jurist Awards organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl) in Lagos, themed “Digital Transformation: Building Sustainable Platforms for the Future.”

In her keynote address, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Beyond Limits Africa, underscored the importance of leveraging digital technology to create lasting and positive societal impacts.

Dr. Ehimuan highlighted the transformative power of digital platforms in fostering sustainable growth across various sectors, noting that building sustainable platforms equips organizations with a competitive edge. She emphasized that sustainable digital transformation must be robust, resilient, user-friendly, scalable, secure, and capable of continuous improvement. She concluded by stating, “Technology is only as good as its application; technology is the now and the future.”

Speakers at the event stressed that digitization has become a way of life, and for its impact to be meaningful, leadership support is crucial. They called for a focus on refined processes, stakeholder management, and effective training to enhance the outcomes of digital transformation.

Panelists included Babalola Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at MTN Nigeria; Ayowole Popoola, Chief Information Security Officer at FCMB; Dumebi Obodo, MD/CEO of ChamsSwitch Limited; and Dr. Usman Abdullahi, Head of Information Technology Projects Clearance at NITDA.

The panelists collectively highlighted the transformative capabilities of digital tools in reshaping industries, boosting economic growth, and addressing environmental challenges.

In his remarks, Jason Ikegwu, Partner for Digital Technology Consulting at pcl, revealed that this year’s Digital Jurist Awards evaluated digital touchpoints for 338 organizations across 10 sectors, continuing a legacy of assessments spanning 17 years.