The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has urged the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) to leverage smart technologies in their operational processes.
The NITDA boss gave the advice while delivering his address as the Special Guest at a Conference organised by the Association with the theme “Digital Economy Campaign: Prospect and Industrial Connections”.
He noted that leveraging smart technologies such Internet of Things, (IoT); Artificial Intelligence, (AI); Robotic Technology, is necessary for any manufacturer who is ambitious to be a player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“With the various opportunities provided by the present day’s cutting edge technologies like Internet of Things, (IoT); Artificial Intelligence, (AI); Robotic Technology, every manufacturer can increase his top-line revenue and lower his bottom line cost,” he stressed, adding that nearly everything done in the business operations today are powered by digital technology.
Abdullahi maintained that these emerging technologies will make factories smarter and more functional without or less human intervention.
While acknowledging that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought about the concept of smart manufacturing, digital platforms and digital economy, the NITDA boss noted that the difference between third and fourth industrial revolutions is the disruptive nature of the emerging technologies.
The DG encouraged MAN members to consider the production of smartphones and other computing devices in Nigeria because of market availability.
“Absolutely for me, there is no reason why we cannot manufacture smartphones and peripheral in Nigeria. I want to appeal to you to focus on the manufacturing of computing devices and peripherals,” he said.
Earlier, the President of MAN, Mr. Ahmed Mansur in his opening remarks disclosed that the conference would enable the association to learn about new approaches to manufacturing, which could result in market expansion.
“Manufacturing sector, especially those catering for the Nigerian market that is going to be confronted with the massive expansion of the market potential would have no alternative than to rethink the way they produce, supply and distribute their products,” Mansur said.