Tag: technology

The Chief Executive Officer of the African Business Coalition for Health (ABC Health), Dr. Mories Atoki has called on the next generation of African leaders to leverage technology, education, and innovation to shape the continent’s economic future.

Atoki made this remark at the Annual Youth Development Summit, organised by the Africa Bridge Initiatives in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts Alumni Association, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The summit, held recently at UNILAG in Lagos, was tagged, ‘Digital Economy and the Future’ and featured panel discussions, presentations, and the official launch of a memorandum of agreement between the Africa Bridge Initiative and Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.

According to her, Africa’s future hinges on the ability of its young population to adapt to the rapid pace of technological advancements and the global competition they bring.

“It’s important to be present when knowledge is available,” she said, highlighting the unprecedented access to information and resources in today’s world.

“We are not competing against Africa; we are competing against the world. The internet connects you to other parts of the world. Why aren’t you developing yourself?” she asked, urging young Africans to realise the urgency of keeping pace with global advancements.

She further outlined the vital role that technology plays in shaping Africa’s future.

“Access to technology tools isn’t just about financial resources, it’s about being engaged and open to change. The availability of online learning, both academic and vocational is a game-changer. It’s no longer about relying solely on traditional systems; it’s about positioning ourselves to compete globally,” she said.

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The Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lagos, Professor Ilupeju Mudasiru, also highlighted the importance of digital tools in fostering creativity.

While acknowledging the usefulness of digital tools and machines, he emphasized that they should not replace personal knowledge, critical thinking, or innovation.

He urged students and young people to maintain their self-confidence and creativity despite the growing reliance on technology.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Opeoluwa Taiwo, Executive Director of the Africa Bridge Initiative (ABI), called for increased collaboration to ensure that more youth acquire the specialised skills needed in the technology sector.

Taiwo noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was among the top skills required to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

He highlighted the rising demand for AI talent across industries and the transformation of jobs due to technological advancements.

Creative Technology Professional, Olumide Falegan has examined the roles played by technology in the creative industry.

He reviewed characteristics of the creative industry and the interplay between commercial and expressive value in the sector.

In a report with theme: “An Exploration of the Creative Industry and Technology”, which explores the role of intellectual property, and analyzes the impact of technology on various creative domains, he described the creative industry as a dynamic and multifaceted sector, which encompasses a diverse array of activities ranging from visual and performing arts to film, design, and technology.

He said unlike traditional industries with clearly defined boundaries, the creative industry is characterized by its fluidity and constant evolution.

“It involves the generation and commercialization of creativity, ideas, knowledge, and information. However, to be considered a true component of the creative industry, an idea or product must possess two essential qualities such as the ability to generate revenue or profit through sales or services as well as the capacity to convey cultural significance, communicate meaning, and reflect societal values or identity,” he said.

According to Falegan, both commercial and expressive values are vital for a thriving creative industry. He explained that commercial value ensures the sustainability and economic viability of creative endeavors, while expressive value provides a deeper sense of purpose and contributes to cultural enrichment.

He said creative outputs, such as music, art, and film, are often subjective and driven by originality, making it challenging to define and protect their economic value, adding that intellectual property (IP) rights play a crucial role in safeguarding these works, granting creators exclusive control over their use, distribution, and monetization.

He said that IP protection is essential for the creative industry because it grants exclusive rights to creators, IP encourages continued investment in new ideas and creative expression.

The IP allows creators to earn a living from their work through licensing, royalties, and other revenue-generating mechanisms; IP rights help prevent unauthorized use and ensure that creators maintain control over how their work is used and disseminated and strong IP protection attracts investment in creative industries, promoting growth and development.

“In essence, intellectual property rights are the foundation of a sustainable and thriving creative industry, ensuring that creators are recognized and rewarded for their ingenuity and artistic contributions,” he said.

He further stated that the creative economy extends beyond the traditional confines of the creative industry.

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“While the creative industry encompasses sectors with creativity at their core (e.g., film, music, design), the creative economy encompasses the entire creative workforce, regardless of their industry. This includes individuals employed in sectors not typically considered “creative” who nonetheless engage in creative work and generate creative outputs,” he said.

According to the British Council’s A creative and cultural economy series, the creative economy, an introductory guide, referencing a 2008 report by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) titled Beyond the creative industries: Mapping the creative economy in the UK, concluded that more creative people work outside the creative industries than inside them.

This phenomenon, termed “embedded creative employment,” underscores the widespread integration of creativity across the modern economy. For instance, a graphic designer employed by a manufacturing company or an architect working for a real estate firm contributes to the creative economy through their creative outputs, even though they operate outside the traditional creative industry.

Falegan said that to illustrate further, a filmmaker producing a movie within the entertainment industry belongs to the creative industry. “A software designer creating user interfaces for a bank, while contributing to the creative economy through their creative output, is not part of the creative industry,” he said.

According to him, this distinction highlights the expansive role and the broader impact of creativity on economic activity. The creative economy recognizes that creativity is not confined to specific sectors but is an essential driver of innovation and value creation across various industries.

“Technology has democratized creativity, empowering anyone to create and share their work with the world. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok allow artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach global audiences. This has opened up new revenue streams for creative entrepreneurs, enabling them to connect directly with fans through crowdfunding, online marketplaces, and independent music distribution,” he said.

“However, this technological revolution also presents challenges. Copyright infringement remains a major concern in the digital age. The rise of AI-generated art raises questions about authorship, ownership, and the very nature of creativity. Social media algorithms can shape artistic trends and potentially stifle originality. And the rapid pace of technological change makes digital preservation a constant challenge,” he said.

“Technology is not just a tool for creativity; it’s an essential force driving its evolution. As technology continues to advance, we must critically examine its impact on the creative landscape and ensure that it empowers both artists and audiences. How will AI shape the future of art? Will virtual reality revolutionize storytelling? And how can we ensure that technology fosters a diverse and inclusive creative ecosystem? These are the questions we must grapple with as we navigate the ever-evolving relationship between technology and creativity,” he stated.

Experts in the education space have called on stakeholders to rally support for the integration and adoption of technology solutions to address imbalances or gender-based barriers to learning.

This was the takeout at the October edition of Edtech Mondays, an initiative of the Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching & Learning in ICT. The engagement session themed “Potential of Technology to Remove Gender-Based Learning Barriers and Drive Gender Transformative Education in Nigeria” was moderated by Practice Lead, Education, CcHUB, Chinyelu Akpa.

One of the panelists, Program Coordinator, Women Technology Empowerment Centre, Blessed Hammed-Musa, explained that technology remains a catalyst or enabler for learners necessary to eliminate societal ills or unequal access to opportunities associated with gender biases or issues.

While acknowledging that technology has fostered a great deal of gender imbalance in education, Hammed-Musa identified access to educational resources, provision of digital training opportunities, and change of mindset as key to changing the narrative.

She advised both educators and parents not to be gender biased when assisting learners in using educational devices.

Also speaking, a Gender Equity/Program Associate, Re;learn, Abigail Anaza-Mark, stated that the role of technology could no longer be downplayed, given how it has contributed to removing gender-based learning barriers and driving gender-transformative education in Nigeria.

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Anaza-Mark explained that the deployment of technological solutions in the education sector has led to a spike in the enrolment of girls in schools.

She was of the view that that technology is unlocking a lot of creativity among girls or boys who suffer from imbalance while also opening them up to transformative learning. Noting that the influence of technology, through social media, has played a significant role in helping girls see themselves through the lens of other women, she said “girls are now beginning to understand, learn about the stories, struggles, and triumphs of other women who have gone ahead of them.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Child forensic interview specialist, Bisi Ajayi-Kayode stressed the need to remove negative stereotypes that enforce gender roles through transformative gender education. Ajayi-Kayode said efforts must be made to create a safe and inclusive environment for education, free from discriminatory laws and policies.

She explained that without a gender lens on education, learning in Nigeria runs the risk of gender disparity that can lead to marginalisation and suppression of certain groups of children who are confronted with challenges of substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.