Nigeria must embrace AI, tech revolution or be left behind — Sowore

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has called on Nigeria to urgently embrace the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, warning that the country cannot afford to miss another wave of global technological transformation.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to the convergence of digital, biological and physical technologies, with innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, advanced robotics and quantum computing reshaping industries, labour markets and economies worldwide.

Sowore, in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday, said Nigeria’s inability to take advantage of previous industrial revolutions had left the country technologically dependent on innovations developed by other nations.

Sowore has consistently advocated governance reforms, youth empowerment and greater investment in education, science and technology, arguing that these sectors are critical to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and sustainable development.

The activist and former presidential candidate argued that the ongoing technological revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging technologies, offers Nigeria another opportunity to reposition its economy and accelerate development.

“The world has undergone four distinct industrial revolutions that have transformed economies, societies, and the way human beings live and work. The First Industrial Revolution introduced mechanisation powered by water and steam. The Second ushered in mass production driven by electricity.

“The Third brought automation through digital technology. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is redefining the future through artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, biotechnology, quantum computing, and cyber-physical systems”, his statement partly read.

Sowore blamed decades of poor leadership, weak governance and inadequate investment in education, innovation and technology for Nigeria’s failure to benefit from earlier industrial revolutions.

“Nigeria missed the opportunities presented by the first three industrial revolutions, largely due to decades of poor leadership, poor governance, and a failure to invest in innovation, education, and technological development.

“As a result, our nation has remained largely dependent on consuming technologies developed elsewhere instead of creating them”, he continued.

He stressed that the country must avoid repeating the same mistakes by prioritising science, technology and innovation.

“We cannot afford to repeat that mistake. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the greatest technological transformation in human history, and Nigeria must seize this opportunity to leap forward rather than fall further behind.

“Achieving this requires replacing incompetence, corruption, and recycled politics with visionary leadership that prioritises science, technology, innovation, and human capital development,” he added.

The activist further declared that embracing the ongoing technological revolution was essential to Nigeria’s future. “Nigeria cannot afford to miss this revolution. Our future depends on embracing it”, he concluded.