IT Expert Urges Nigeria to Boost Technology Investments for Fourth Industrial Revolution at FUTA Lecture

At the 1st Annual Lecture of the School of Computing, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Dr. Yaya Johnson, Head of IT Infrastructure at TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Nigeria, called for increased investment in technology to drive Nigeria's participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The lecture, held on October 17, 2024, focused on "The Role of Information Technology in Driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)."

Dr. Johnson, a renowned IT expert and FUTA’s best graduating student in 2001, emphasized the need for deliberate planning and investment in technologies like Data Analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, Cloud Computing, and Virtual Reality (VR). He argued that these technologies are critical to transforming industries and urged Nigeria to position itself strategically to benefit from the ongoing digital revolution.

"The Fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally reshaping how we live, work, and interact. Information technology is the core of this transformation. For Nigeria to thrive, leaders, businesses, and academia must collaborate and invest in research, infrastructure, and talent development," Dr. Johnson stated.

He highlighted the potential of data analytics to revolutionize sectors like healthcare and finance, the role of IoT in automating industries, and the transformative power of AI and 5G in enhancing connectivity and service delivery. Dr. Johnson also stressed the need for public-private partnerships to foster innovation and urged ethical considerations in technology use, particularly around AI and data privacy.

FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended the university’s role in advancing technological innovation, stressing the institution's commitment to producing graduates equipped to lead in the 4IR. She reaffirmed FUTA’s focus on research and industry collaboration to ensure students are well-prepared to navigate the evolving tech landscape.

The event concluded with an award presentation recognizing individuals making significant contributions to the field of Computing and to FUTA’s growth.