Industry 4.0 could be major income earner in post-oil Nigeria if well harnessed – Danbatta

Says ethical leaders will take Nigeria out of economic crisis

Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, November 05, 2020

ABUJA, Nigeria – The fourth industrial revolution often referred to as 4IR or Industry 4.0 can become a major revenue earner in post-oil Nigeria if properly harnessed, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta has said.

Danbatta who was speaking on the subject “Ethical   leadership as an instrument for national sustainability in the post-oil Nigerian economy. A public sector perspective” at the 2020 Hybrid (Online/Onsite) Annual Directors Conference (ADC) organised by the Institute of Directors (IODs) said the fourth industrial revolution  is the age of intelligence and encompasses technologies like high-speed mobile Internet, Artificial Intelligence, automation, the use of big data analytics and cloud computing.

He explained that the major constraint facing Nigeria in harnessing the 4IR remains inadequacy of digital skills, infrastructure deficit, enabling environment and inadequate infrastructure.

The Chief Executive Officer of NCC said the information and digital economy can serve as a major revenue earner for the country because natural resources such as oil, gas, etc are finite whereas data and information are infinite.

“Furthermore, the possibilities provided by the 4IR are limitless and can generate employment for Nigeria’s teeming youth population Therefore, in order to achieve economic growth using the 4IR there is the need for ethical leadership”, he asserted.

According to him, the Federal Government in its bid to ensure economic growth and sustainability collaborates with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to discuss issues and challenges facing the development of Nigeria with a view to developing and harmonizing ideas towards diversification and sustaining the economy.

Danbatta explained that ethical leaders possess attributes that enable them function effectively. “These attributes include honesty, integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, influence and positivity. A leader with such attributes plays a very important role in effectively and adequately harnessing the natural and human resources of the Country. In order to achieve sustainable economic development, such leader focuses on team building, encourages initiatives by putting the right people in the right places. He is a visioner who can forecast and adequately prepare for the future and above all show leadership by example.

“In order to achieve National sustainability in the post-oil Nigerian economy, the highest standard of ethical leadership is required of all leaders especially in the public sector. This is   because the government has enormous authoritative influence on citizens. Therefore, taxpayers expect a high level of integrity from their leaders. Peoples’ confidence and trust in the government increases when their leaders develop policies and take actions that promote the interests and wellbeing of the entire society. This is because public policies have a direct impact on the citizens. Therefore ensuring ethics in the public service is very important”, he said.

The NCC boss said  the Federal government came up with a Code of Conduct for public officers, which is spelt out in the Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that the aim of the code is to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behavior of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.

“Leaders at all levels are expected to exhibit ethical behavior not only to those they lead within public organizations and institutions but everyone in the society. They are expected   to be committed   to the principles and values of   ethical leadership. It should be noted that the citizens are demanding higher standards of ethics,    transparency and accountability. Therefore, the only thing that will take Nigeria out of its current economic crisis is the diversification of the economy and having ethical leaders who will manage its resources effectively and efficiently, by ensuring adequate planning and proper management of resources, all-inclusive growth and prudence”, Danbatta advised.