Nigeria must embrace emerging technologies to break from the past and achieve sustainable development, the Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), has said.

Ayuba made the call at the opening of the institute’s Annual National Management Conference in Abuja recently. He stressed that meaningful progress requires a departure from outdated systems, a peaceful environment, and a deliberate embrace of innovation.

“For Nigeria to move forward, there must be a break from the past. The operating environment must be conducive and peaceful. No meaningful development can take place in a chaotic or insecure atmosphere,” Ayuba said.

He explained that the theme of this year’s conference was chosen because emerging technologies now define progress globally. According to him, “Technology is everything, and every forward-looking nation or organisation that wants to go the distance must leverage emerging technologies to drive innovation, creativity, and productivity.”

Ayuba urged citizens to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in repositioning the nation, while also charging professionals to lead by example. He said professionals must shun corruption, greed, and other social vices that hinder Nigeria’s growth.

Also speaking, Country Director of the Chenomics Project Nigeria, Michael Egboh, highlighted the nation’s human capital advantage and stressed the need for government readiness in harnessing technology. He observed that Nigeria continues to export skilled manpower to the United States, Europe, and Asia, proving its intellectual potential.

“Technology is key to unlocking this potential,” Egboh said, citing the role of artificial intelligence in automating tasks, enabling data-driven decision-making, and powering innovation. He pointed to applications in agriculture such as drone monitoring, IoT-enabled soil sensors, and supply chain traceability, which can improve yields and exports.

He emphasised the need for education reforms, urging a shift to digital classrooms, e-learning, and STEM-focused programs. “Nigeria must create a national digital innovation framework that integrates AI, IoT, and blockchain into a coordinated strategy,” he advised.

Egboh called for investments in digital skills, talent pipelines, and infrastructure. He urged the government to expand affordable internet nationwide, accelerate 5G deployment, and build data centers to address sovereignty concerns. He also stressed inclusivity, saying women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities must not be excluded.

Equally important, he said, was collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and civil society. He called for a culture of open data, experimentation, and tolerance for calculated risks, while insisting that Nigeria’s technological advancement must be locally relevant and ethically sound.

Representing the Federal Government, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who was represented by Francis Nyenge, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to technology-driven development. He said nations that embrace innovation gain a competitive edge.

“Nations and organisations that harness emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Robotics, and Biotechnology are better positioned to transform challenges into opportunities and accelerate sustainable development,” Akume said.

He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital economy present unique opportunities for innovation in governance, agriculture, industry, education, health, and services. He credited President Tinubu with laying the foundation for a knowledge-driven economy through initiatives such as the Nigeria Startup Act, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and targeted investments in broadband and digital skills.

“By prioritising policies that support artificial intelligence, digital finance, renewable energy technologies, and youth-focused innovation hubs, President Tinubu is ensuring that Nigeria not only keeps pace with global technological trends but also leverages them to create jobs and drive competitiveness,” Akume said.

He assured participants that the government would continue to invest in infrastructure, research, and partnerships to ensure innovation thrives. “It is only through collective efforts that we can harness emerging technologies to achieve our national aspirations,” he said.