The Director, Information Communication Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Prof. Babajide Afolabi has told the government to stop paying lip service to e-governance.
Speaking at the fifth International Conference of the School of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic entitled ‘COVID-19 Pandemic: Economic Challenges, Strategies And Prospects,’ Afolabi, advised the government to develop systems that would allow remote access for most government-based functions, like tax filing and payments, application for international travel papers, registration for voters’ card and others.
Afolabi’s speech was titled, ‘COVID-19 Pandemic In Nigeria: An Impact Assessment On ICT.’
“Developing systems that allow remote access for most government-based functions, tax filing, and payments, application for international travel papers, registration for voters’ card, Nigeria should stop paying lip service to e-governance. Online classes/educational conferences and seminars (via a learning management system lMS) or virtual teaching platforms (face-based webinars), remote proctoring, virtual laboratories, augmented reality-based experimentation and demonstrations, use of local radios for lecture delivery should be deplored.”
He further advised that revenue and business continuity planning, network and operational analytics, collaboration services leveraging AI, digitalisation, and automation were important.
He, however, said there was the need to prepare for new consumption patterns which would lead to increased online purchases of technological products & services
The rector, Dr Oluremi Olaleye noted that “We have collectively learned an inevitable lesson that deserves a review and re-examination from economic and international perspectives in order to prepare for the next unexpected crises, regardless of its causes, location, magnitude, and timing.”
Chief Operating Officer, UBA Apapa Region, Mr. Lekan Ibrahim, who was represented by Group Head (Operations) Mr. Alex Alozie, spoke On ‘COVID-19 Pandemic Finishing Strong’. He suggested that there should be an increased reliance on digital channels with pressure on technology infrastructure and resources.
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