Tech trainer Joy Micah, an Information, Communication and Technology expert, observes that Nigeria is lagging behind several African nations in embracing technological opportunities. In an interview with our correspondent, she noted that countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and even Ghana are adopting tech more rapidly despite Nigeria being the most populous Black nation. “Technology has evolved in this 21st century, and it is important that everyone gets acquainted with it. As a third‑world country, Nigeria seems slow in adopting the opportunities that tech has to offer compared to countries like Rwanda, South Africa or even Ghana,” Micah said.
Micah explained that the technical side of technology remains underexplored in Nigeria. “The technical aspect of tech is yet to be explored by many Nigerians who are already in tech and those just starting out. For example, Artificial Intelligence is making waves now and solving a lot of problems, and we are still stuck with Microsoft Word processing. Most countries have robots, smart systems and AI solving various problems, yet we can’t boast of a system in place that AI is fixing. Embedded system design and development is another area Nigerians have been neglecting, probably because it seems difficult.” She cited practical applications such as RFID tags for identity card management, arguing that reliance on basic plastic cards in 2023 reflects a preference for profit‑driven tech rather than value‑driven solutions.
According to Micah, inadequate electricity and internet connectivity are the primary obstacles to tech adoption in Nigeria. “We still struggle with poor electricity supply as a country. People find it difficult to learn and embrace tech because these gadgets must be powered. Since we haven’t solved the internet problems, many Nigerians cannot access online resources to enhance or acquire new skills. If Nigeria can solve these problems even by 50 percent, we won’t have to struggle to get acquainted with tech,” she said, urging the government to create an environment that better fosters the development and accessibility of tech skills for Nigerians.
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