An expert on digital technology, Prof. Olayinka David-West, on Thursday called for the use of dynamics, encouragement and concerted efforts at ensuring more female inclusion in digital economy to engender greater economic outcomes.
David-West, Academic Director, Lagos Business School, made the call at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) March 2020 Breakfast Meeting themed: “Nigerian Women and the Digital Economy” to celebrate the International Women’s Day in Lagos.
She said that in enabling a digital nation, the need to build micro solutions across Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) was pertinent.
The expert stressed the need for Non-Governmental Organisations to propagate the need for more female inclusion by engaging in sensitisation and advocacy programmes at the grassroots levels.
This, she explained, would engender early exposure to the digital space and also spur intuitive interests in the girl child.
“The areas to be addressed in enabling a digital Nigeria apart from the people’s ease of access to technology is to build small micro solutions for these types of businesses even if it is for book keeping.
“Because if we do not have people using technology locally and we are building the skills only, we would not have a digital economy.
“We are used to the conventional way of doing work and conventional thinking then we realise that we are killing some of these intuitive native skills.
“So let’s encourage our kids today to do what naturally comes to them rather than the stereotypical professional courses which makes use of the same technology,” she said.
She urged the older, more experienced generation to engage more in mentoring young women to enable career growth and balance in the digital industry.
She also stressed the need to digitalise government services to reduce time wasted and tackle issues as administrative bottlenecks.
She, however, emphasised the need to force habits that mandate social interaction in spite of technological interface.
Dr Omobola Johnson, Senior Partner ILcom, urged parents to encourage girls from tender ages to dabble and excel in sectors perceived to be male dominated such as engineering, especially if such child showed intuitive skills, interest and passion.
“Early exposure to intuitive skills, hardwork and passion will help a lot with success on the long run,” she said.
Speaking on the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson said that it showed that any economy could be digitalised.
“COVID-19 has found a way to remind us that work is not location based as we are remotely having to work from anywhere now,” she said.
She stressed the importance of data science, data analysis and software development for business advancement by women.
