In a landmark move towards digital transformation, Havel Corporate Concept, an affiliate of ioSafe Nigeria, unveiled a comprehensive Strategic Road Map for the Abuja Smart City Project during the 2024 Nigeria Data Expo and Conference yesterday in Abuja.
The event, which took place in Abuja, also saw the launch of the project’s logo and official website.
Dr. Ahmed Badanga, Chief Executive Officer of Havel Corporate Concept and convener of the project, articulated the ambitious vision to transform Nigeria’s capital city into a smart city by 2040.
This initiative is designed to align with and support the ongoing transformation efforts spearheaded by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
“Only a few services and transactions taking place in Abuja, from the studies and data we have collected, are being done digitally. So many services are being delivered manually and for that reason, we feel it is time to digitalise services in Abuja,” Badanga stated.
Highlighting the crucial role of data, Badanga noted that the data expo and conference aim to raise awareness about the integral link between data and the smart city project. “You cannot talk about smart cities without talking about data; they are intertwined. We have been promoting data awareness and promoting data issues in Nigeria for about 10 years now and we feel there is a need for us to also see how we can utilise the opportunity of having the right infrastructure to transit Abuja to a smart city,” he added.
Meanwhile,Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, underscored the indispensable nature of data in planning and policy-making. “Without data, you can’t plan; without data, you can’t have a policy. What we are doing here today is really important and strategic for national planning, socio-economic development, and sustainable development of the country,” Olatunji emphasized.
He also pointed out the rapid growth of Abuja and the necessity of planning to avoid future chaos. “If you plan, you will envisage the number of people that come in, you look at the kind of infrastructure you want to put in place. You will also look at the kind of social amenities you want to put in place, the kind of security that you want to put in place, business opportunities in the city, housing urbanisation, and the rest,”Olatunji elaborated.
Adding an international perspective, Mr. Robb Moore, a Data and Smart Grid Specialist from the United States, emphasized the need for innovative minds to drive the transformation. “If you don’t have the people here in Nigeria that are willing to take the chance, make the business, make it grow, risk everything, you won’t have the creators or the agents that make things grow. You must be able to listen to people who are telling you what others are not telling you to make a difference,” Moore advised
Mr. Nasiru Usman, Vice-Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), lauded the Abuja Smart City Initiative as crucial for transforming Abuja into a befitting capital city. He highlighted AMAC’s partnerships with relevant government agencies on data generation and management to address security concerns.
“Efforts are ongoing to empower residents of the council with information and communication technology skills. This will enable the people to tap from the opportunities the digital-driven world provides,”Usman concluded.
As the Abuja Smart City Project gains momentum, the collaborative efforts between government bodies, technology firms, and data specialists promise to usher in a new era of digital efficiency and urban sophistication for Nigeria’s capital.
