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At home in technology from childhood, Nkemdilim is walking
in her father’s footsteps as a second-generation Nigerian Information
Technology expert.
She has designed and led the strategy and implementation of
brand digital marketing and digital transformation projects across Africa,
resulting in enhanced customer experiences, customer acquisition and
bottom-line growth, optimised and more cost-effective operations and a more
digitally skilled labour force within the organisations she has worked with.
Currently CEO of Future Software Resources Ltd.
(Futuresoft), one of Nigeria’s leading digital & technology solutions
companies, providing a broad range of solutions for the scaling African
enterprise, to consistently attract and retain its target audience, optimise
its processes and increase its bottom line.
Futuresoft has served over 200 clients across 20 industries
and has trained over 1,500 CEOs, executives and board members in digital.
How has your upbringing motivated you to become who you are
today?
Reflecting on my formative years, three distinct facets have
profoundly influenced my character and the person I’ve become.
Firstly, I was steeped in technology from an early age,
owing to my father’s unwavering devotion to the world of tech. He ensured we
had access to computers, not as mere entertainment devices, but as gateways to
opportunities and as tools for creative expression. Learning to code at the age
of 16 ignited a profound passion for innovation, broadening my horizons beyond
conventional career paths.
I am the first of three girls and even though I didn’t know
it then, looking back, my parents championed a pretty gender-neutral
upbringing. Gender was never a constraint on our aspirations; instead, being
girls instilled us with unwavering independence and unshakable confidence.
Simultaneously, my parents nurtured a profound pride in our cultural heritage,
fostering a deep-seated sense of identity and purpose. This fusion has given me
the self-assuredness to navigate any environment with grace, always mindful to
listen, learn, and remain humble and never being afraid of taking the road less
travelled.
Observing my parents’ unwavering commitment to community
betterment through their social impact projects sparked a desire within me to
partake in similar endeavours. It has been the compass guiding my professional
journey, steering my unwavering dedication to the Nigerian and African
technology ecosystem, igniting a fervour for mentoring and youth development,
and kindling a passion for sustainable and impact driven initiatives that focus
on unlocking opportunities for young people in Nigeria and on the continent.
Today, it’s pretty clear to me that these experiences
constitute the bedrock of my identity, shaping my core values and instilling in
me an unshakable dedication to Nigeria and the continent at large, while always
focusing on equity, cultural preservation, community service, and of course my
insatiable curiosity for the ever-evolving tech space.
How do you approach competitor analysis and market research
to inform digital strategy?
At Futuresoft, we employ a multi-faceted approach to
effective competitor analysis and market research for digital strategy
development. This approach includes both quantitative and qualitative methods,
such as analysing market trends, actively seeking and reviewing customer
feedback, as well as monitoring our client’s competitors’ digital footprints.
We closely track their product/service offerings, user experiences, and digital
marketing strategies.
This data-driven approach allows us to identify gaps and
opportunities that we use to develop tailored digital strategies that are
aligned with market dynamics and customer needs, while ensuring that our
clients stay ahead of their competition.
How important is it that a company ensures their brand’s
digital strategy aligns with their overall business objectives?
To be honest, it is absolutely critical! Aligning digital
strategy with business objectives ensures focused efforts, efficient resource
allocation, and a clear path to achieving long-term goals. It also maximises
the impact of digital initiatives and strengthens the company’s competitive
position in the market.
What are some common challenges or roadblocks you’ve
observed that organisations can encounter when implementing digital strategies,
and how can they overcome them?
The challenges are endless, but some of the common ones cut
across looking at digital transformation as a project instead of as a business
strategy, the lack of leadership buy in, rushing into projects / initiatives
without having a holistic view or plan, poorly thought through change
management, poor stakeholder engagement and internal communication and not
keeping up to date with the ever-evolving technology trends, regulations and
risks.
To overcome these roadblocks, the right mindset, a solid
strategy, change management plan and communications framework and of course the
right implementation team, consultants, partners and technology vendors are
key.
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What are the key drivers of digital transformation in today’s business landscape?
Good question. I think the key drivers often depend on
industry, stage of organisation and how sustainable the business already is.
However, generally speaking, the key drivers are found in
being agile in order to adapt to changing market conditions, staying ahead and
remaining competitive in a digital-first market, ever evolving customer
expectations and demands for seamless digital experiences and personalised
services, the rapid evolution of innovation across emerging technologies like
AI, IoT, cloud computing, and data analytics, which are constantly enabling new
possibilities, as well as the need to cut costs and streamline operations
through automation and digital processes.
What role does leadership play in driving successful digital
transformation?
Let me start by saying that I have never seen successful and
most importantly sustainable digital transformation without leadership buy-in.
Effective leaders envision and champion digital initiatives,
secure the required resources, communicate the importance of the initiatives
for the business, and most of all lead by example while fostering a culture of
innovation and agility.
They navigate organisational resistance to change, align the
workforce with digital goals, and ensure that the transformation strategy is in
sync with the company’s overall objectives.
What are the potential costs and return on investment (ROI)
of digital transformation?
The most important thing about potential costs and ROI of
digital transformation is to look at digital transformation as an investment
and not as a cost centre.
Let’s look at the costs of digital transformation, they cut
across various aspects, such as technology investments, employee training and
culture building initiatives, process reengineering, and system upgrade and
integration. These upfront expenses can be substantial, which is why it’s
important to understand that they are an investment and part of the future
proofing strategy of your organisation.
That being said, the ROI of digital transformation can be
substantial as well, especially in the long term. It’s important to define your
picture of success at the start and know how to track your ROI, which can take
the form of increased operational efficiency, cost savings through automation,
revenue growth from new digital channels, and improved customer experiences,
which in turn enhance customer loyalty and retention.
If you ask me, the long-term benefits frequently outweigh
the initial costs as organisations gain a competitive edge, access new markets,
adapt to changing customer expectations, and establish a foundation for
sustainable growth and innovation, leading to a robust ROI.
How can technology be leveraged as a strategic driver for
Nigeria’s growth and development?
One of my favourite topics. I am very excited to see what
the new administration does to strategically leverage technology for
socio-economic development and growth.
For me, there are 3 key areas that technology can play a
role in paving the way for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and
social development.
The Public Sector: Technology can enhance efficiency and
transparency in public administration, reducing corruption and improving public
service delivery, while increasing revenue generation for the country.
Economic Diversification: Enabling policies focused on
technology integration across sectors like energy, financial services,
manufacturing, health and agriculture, can help stimulate economic
diversification, GDP growth and financial inclusion, while reducing
unemployment and ensuring global competitiveness as a nation.
Education & Human Capacity Development: In order to be
globally competitive, we must invest in our people and rethink and transform
our educational system. Technology must be at the core of this transformation,
enabled by out of the box thinking, supporting policies and political will.
How can emerging technologies, such as artificial
intelligence (AI), blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT), contribute to
sustainable development in Nigeria?
Emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT hold
immense potential for sustainable development in Nigeria. It’s all about
ensuring that we have a policy environment that is focused on enabling and
supporting innovation and ensuring that we move from consuming technologies to
creating technologies.
To speak to the technologies you asked about, AI can
optimise agriculture, healthcare, and education, boosting productivity and
service quality.
Blockchain can ensure transparency and trust in supply
chains, insurance, land ownership, and financial transactions, reducing fraud
and corruption.
IoT can enhance resource management and infrastructure
monitoring, conserving energy and improving urban planning.
These technologies can not only attract foreign direct
investments, foster innovation, and create job opportunities, but also drive
economic growth.
When harnessed effectively, they can address some of our
critical development challenges, making our nation more resilient, competitive,
and environmentally sustainable.
How can technology help in empowering local entrepreneurs
and fostering innovation ecosystems in Nigeria?
By reducing barriers to entry and amplifying opportunities,
technology plays a vital role in nurturing innovation ecosystems, enabling
local entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Beyond the obvious benefits of technology in terms of
optimised operations, cost savings, access to global markets through online
marketing and e-commerce, as well as the ease of doing business that digital
payments bring, technology continues to be a strategic value driver for all
businesses.
Technology-driven initiatives like incubators and
accelerators have also proven to improve the investment readiness of startups
through brand and business optimisation, mentorship and access to networks and
resources.
The above mentioned is only possible if there is an enabling
environment which needs to be provided through adequate, agile and
scale-focused policy making.
What are the potential economic benefits and job
opportunities that can be generated through technology-driven development in
Nigeria?
As mentioned earlier, technology-driven development in
Nigeria can yield significant economic benefits, including increased
productivity and economic diversification. This, in turn, can stimulate
economic growth, attract foreign investment, and in the long term reduce
poverty and improve the quality of living.
As I had alluded to earlier, technology integration across
key sectors can create a multitude of job opportunities. For example, in
agriculture, tech solutions for precision farming and supply chain optimisation
can lead to roles in data analysis and agri-tech startups. In healthcare,
telemedicine and health tech require professionals in remote diagnostics and
software development. Fintech opens avenues for financial analysts and app
developers. The expanding e-commerce sector demands logistics and digital marketing
experts. Overall, technology integration across sectors catalyses diverse job
prospects, contributing to economic growth and innovation.
How can partnerships between governments, private sector
entities, and civil society organisations be fostered to drive
technology-enabled development in Nigeria?
Fostering partnerships between the government, the private
sector, and civil society in Nigeria is critical to driving technology-enabled
development.
My hope is that the new administration focuses on creating
conducive policies and an enabling regulatory environment that has the power to
unlock private sector investment across tech infrastructure and innovation. At
the same time civil society organisations must continue to focus on bridging
the gaps by advocating for inclusivity and providing grassroots insights.
These partnerships encourage shared goals, enhance resource
efficiency, and promote sustainable development through technology in Nigeria.
We must also use collaborative platforms and initiatives that can facilitate
knowledge sharing and help prioritise resource allocation.
How can African countries collaborate and share best
practices in leveraging technology for development, and what platforms or
initiatives exist for such collaboration?
African countries collaborate in leveraging technology for
development through regional forums, knowledge-sharing platforms, and
cross-border initiatives. By collectively addressing challenges, pooling
resources, and sharing insights, we can accelerate technological development,
bridge digital divides, and collectively advance the continent’s socio-economic
growth.
These collaborative efforts already exist. Organisations
like the African Union, African Development Bank, and NEPAD have facilitated
cooperation on tech-driven projects. The Smart Africa Alliance encourages
member states to harmonise ICT policies, while pan-African tech hubs, angel
investment networks and innovation clusters focus on fostering collaboration
among startups and entrepreneurs.
I’d say we are on the right track but must ensure that we
are intentional about knowledge sharing and co-creation of pan-African
approaches that are enabled by the AfCFTA.
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What are some potential risks or challenges associated with relying heavily on technology for development in Africa, and how can they be mitigated?
Relying heavily on technology for development in Africa
presents challenges such as infrastructure gaps, unequal access, cybersecurity
risks and most importantly the threat of digital colonisation.
We must ensure that we take a holistic approach and invest
in our own digital infrastructure and technologies, leverage public-private
partnerships to expand Internet access, while democratising digital literacy
and digital skills development.
Ensuring affordability and inclusivity through policies and
strategic short-term subsidies can help address access disparities. Robust
cybersecurity measures, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness campaigns
are essential to combating cyber threats.
That being said, I believe that we shouldn’t simply copy and
paste. We must find our own unique African solutions to our development
challenges. They may be driven by technology but shouldn’t create dependencies
especially when third party infrastructure is involved.
How do you address the challenges of connectivity and access
to technology in remote or underserved areas of Africa?
There has been a lot of progress with regards to addressing
connectivity and access challenges in remote areas across the continent.
We’ve seen multifaceted approaches that have worked, which
include building digital infrastructure through public-private partnerships and
utilising innovative technologies like satellite internet and TV white spaces.
Mobile network expansion, community Wi-Fi projects, and affordable data plans
further enhance accessibility and are often part of the scaling ambitions of
telecom operators fighting for market share.
Additionally, promoting digital literacy and providing
affordable devices, as well as public investment in e-learning and telemedicine
can foster adoption and drive equitable access to education and healthcare.
It’s also becoming clearer that collaborative efforts with
local communities, NGOs, and international organisations help ensure
sustainability in the long term.
Can you provide insights into the key trends or emerging
practices in ecosystem building that are shaping the business landscape?
I am seeing some interesting trends and emerging practices
in ecosystem building that are reshaping the business landscape globally. Here
are my top 3:
The first trend is the rise of platform-based business
models, emphasising collaboration over competition and bringing together two or
multiple market sides, while being asset light and creating immense value for
all stakeholders.
The second trend is around sustainability and impact focus.
I am seeing more and more ecosystems prioritising sustainability and social
impact, aligning business goals with environmental and societal objectives.
The third trend is around digital transformation. We are
seeing accelerated digitalisation driving ecosystem growth, enabling seamless
connections and data-driven innovation across industries, promoting agility and
competitiveness.
In my opinion, these trends reflect a shift towards
interconnected, dynamic ecosystems that drive innovation, growth, and positive
societal outcomes.
What role does cybersecurity play in the context of
corporate governance, and how can organisations effectively address cyber
risks?
Over the years, cybersecurity has become a core component of
corporate governance, as it safeguards sensitive data, protects shareholder
value, and ensures compliance. Ultimately, a strong cybersecurity posture
bolsters trust among stakeholders and upholds effective corporate governance,
thus it is becoming more and more critical for boards to rethink how they
oversee cyber risk.
As an IT committee chair, ensuring an always on, always
secure information architecture and business environment is one of the key
things at the forefront of my mind when reviewing our IT committee reports and
engaging with the CISO.
It is essential for organisations to adopt robust
cybersecurity measures, including having a well structured cyber security team,
conducting regular risk assessments and continuous employee training,
performing random spot checks, keeping abreast with the ever-evolving threat
landscape, reviewing and tweaking the organisation’s incident response plans
and using global best practices at all times.
How can organisations incorporate emerging trends, such as
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), into their technology-driven
corporate governance practices?
The truth is that a lot of organisations are still smack
bang in the middle of their digital transformation journey, and their corporate
governance isn’t yet technology driven. However, it is important for boards to
take a holistic approach to ESG integration and digital transformation that
ensures a seamless alignment of technology-driven innovation and sustainable,
responsible business practices, while boosting competitiveness, risk
mitigation, and stakeholder trust.
Some areas boards can focus on when thinking about
sustainable digital strategies are:
- Data Integration: Integrating ESG data into existing technology platforms for comprehensive ESG reporting, executive and analysis of social impact.
- AI and Analytics: Leveraging AI and analytics to identify ESG risks and opportunities, aiding informed decision-making and improved risk management and mitigation.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Using digital platforms to actively engage with stakeholders, share key information and incorporate their feedback into governance strategies.
- E-learning: Using e-learning platforms for ESG training and awareness programs across the workforce as well as other stakeholders such as suppliers, vendors and partners.
- IoT and SaSS solution to drive Energy Efficiency: IoT devices, smart sensors and Software as a Service Solutions can monitor energy consumption, track carbon emissions and drive sustainability in operations.
What are the potential benefits for companies that
prioritise ESG practices and how do they impact long-term value creation?
Prioritising ESG practices can yield several benefits for
companies. They enhance reputation and brand value, attracting socially
conscious consumers and investors. Improved risk management reduces potential
legal and financial liabilities. ESG also fosters innovation, efficiency, and
resilience. Moreover, it can be used to attract and retain top talent,
bolstering workforce productivity. These factors collectively contribute to
long-term value creation, ensuring sustainability, competitive advantage, and alignment
with evolving market expectations.
What are some challenges or obstacles organisations commonly
face when implementing ESG practices, and how can they be overcome?
The most common challenges on the journey to becoming a
sustainable and ESG compliant organisation are often the ones that are easily
overlooked when developing an ESG strategy. They include how to manage
resistance to change and cultural changes, how to engage stakeholders amidst
ever changing stakeholder expectations and behaviour, how to navigate evolving
and more and more complex regulatory frameworks, how to manage huge amounts of
data while maintaining data quality and security, how to ensure all reputational
risks including greenwashing are carefully navigated and most of all how to
integrate ESG into your brand strategy and go from saying, to doing, to
showing.
To overcome these challenges, it is important to have a
holistic, long-term approach, a fully integrated brand strategy and most of all
the mindset that ESG integration isn’t simply a tick boxing exercise, but
rather a strategic approach to doing business, while doing good. (c) BusinessDay
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