FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: 2019 INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPO (ICTEL EXPO)

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) hosted the fifth edition of its flagship event, ICTEL EXPO 2019 at the Landmark Event Centre on the 16th and 17th of July 2019. The Expo was organised under the theme: ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Nigerian Story’, which is apt and important for this digital era.

The President of LCCI, Mr Babatunde Paul Ruwase, in his welcome address took the audience on a short journey, relating what the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings and how Nigeria can take advantage of it. Mr Babatunde began by reminding the audience on the discovery that the “fourth industrial revolution (4IR) connotes the fourth major industrial era since the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century. This he stated, is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres, collectively referred to as cyber-physical systems.

The Keynote address was delivered by the Entrepreneurship Programme Manager, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Uwem Uwemakpan. Mr Uwemakpan took the audience down memory lane, showing what each previous industrial revolution brought with it and revealed that, sadly, Nigeria was lagging behind and needed to catch up with the present industrial revolution. He shared that Nigeria can only catch up in the fourth industrial revolution through Innovation, and innovation can only be through entrepreneurship. This innovation, he continued, should affect every area like the financial, health, and other sectors of the economic industry.

In attendance at the event were dignitaries from various industries including representatives of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA). The event concluded on a high note as speaking sessions explored and explained how technology is disrupting and improving different industries like education, finance, health, agriculture and governance.

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