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AfriTEX, smart cities initiative calls for accelerated digital economy
AFRITEX and Nigeria smart cities Initiative, an NGO has called for an accelerated wellness and accountability of the country’s digital economy.
The CEO of AFRITEX, Mr Oyesola Oworu made the call in his goodwill message at the 3rd edition conference of Sustainable Smart Cities and Digital Economy Forum held in Abuja on Tuesday with the theme “Accelerating the realisation of smart cities and Digital economy.”
Oworu said that the forum was committed to collective agenda for sustainable smart city and digital economy initiative for Nigeria.
“Taking a look at the preparedness, unique challenges, we need to identify substantial opportunities to build inclusive, sustainable smart economy through leadership and collaboration to maximise the intemperability of new technologies across different industry in Nigeria.”
He added that 50% of world population lives in urban areas adding that by 2050, it would be closer to 70%, saying that the 21 century economy has keyed into the smart cities.
He also stressed that the current model of urbanization was clearly not stable, hence the need to accelerate digital economy.
“We have to be smarter and our cities have to be smarter, because that’s where information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the capacity to make a real difference,” he said.
Also, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that Smart City Agenda was directly correlated to driving increasing
socio-economic outcomes.
San would-Olu, who was represented by Olatunbosun Alake there was need to drive positive human capital development outcomes for high would translate Smart Agenda.
He stressed that forums like this usually facilitate some of the most important discussion on how to improve the living standards of Nigerians through smart city initiatives.
“It is safe to say that we are becoming well acquainted not just with the risks but the
negative outcomes of poor planning and the underinvestment in our most
important resource, the people’s mind.
” In our most recent Smart City
Implementation design with the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), the most important implementation tenet was capacity development and building a data enabled workforce.
“It is important that to accelerate the realisation of smart cities and the digital economy.” he said.
He also said that the Smart City and Digital economy development would
also require keeping pace with the adoption of effective urban governance ideologies that are dynamic and agile and leverage multiple technologies.
He said this would improve the performance of health service, transportation, education, implement intelligent and sustainable infrastructure, and drive effective monitoring and evaluation strategies to speak to the outcomes.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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