Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress’ presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, has urged Nigeria to seize 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 is the merging of digital, biological, and physical technology, with developments like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, sophisticated robotics, and quantum computing transforming businesses, labor markets, and economies around the world.
Sowore, in a message posted on his official X account on Sunday, stated that Nigeria’s failure to capitalize on earlier industrial revolutions had left the country technologically dependent on advances developed by other countries.
Sowore has repeatedly campaigned for governance reforms, youth empowerment, and more investment in education, science, and technology, claiming that these sectors are essential to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and development.
The activist and past presidential candidate said that Nigeria’s ongoing technology revolution, fueled by artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies, has another opportunity to reposition its economy and speed growth.
“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 mechanization 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.
He 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 also 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.
