…….Say It Has Potential To Accelerate SME Growth In The Country
Technology experts have called for fresh investments to drive the adoption of Cloud Computing in Nigeria, even as they stressed that the technology has the potential to accelerate the growth of the about 41 million small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the country, and even enable rapid governance on the part of the government.
The experts who gathered virtually at a webinar hosted by CyberCloud, an indigenous service provider, with the theme: “The New Normal: Future of Cloud Computing in Nigeria post-COVID19,” submitted that with coronavirus pandemic still raging, companies must device mean to continue to serve their customers adequately.
To this end, the experts were in agreement that one clear cut platform this can be achieved is through cloud computing, explaining why at the webinar, which had over 700 attendees from far and wide, the importance of fresh investment in the sub-sector was emphasised.
Those in attendance include the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa; Managing Director of Rack Centre, Ayotunde Coker; Partner Technology Advisory, KPMG, John Anyanwu; Collins Osugo, CIO First City Monument Bank; and Barr. Kasim Sodangi, National Coordinator, NITDA.
They were hosted by Laurel Onumonu, Head CyberCloud Business in Conjunction with Joe Onwubuya, Managing Director, Cyberspace Limited, and Dave Funnell, VMware Senior Manager, Cloud Business.
Ayotunde Coker said Cloud Computing are services that you consume over the internet, regardless of its location, adding that it’s a service one can subscribe to and consume as they require, scale as they grow and pay as they go.
He further stated that CyberCloud and Rack Centre have the capacity to provide all cloud services needed by the government, corporate bodies and individuals.
John Anyanwu said Cloud services have always been a part of human lives without people knowing it, adding that several people have been using the likes of Google Mail, Yahoo, and so many services that are in the cloud and “we have been enjoying these services for our personal lives without even knowing what we are using.”
He further noted, “Cloud gives a huge opportunity for us to facilitate innovation with low capital investment.”
Dissecting how Cloud Services are utilized by the government, Kasim Sodangi said as far back as 2013, NITDA issued a guideline for National Content Development in IT.
According to him, one of the guidelines specifically speaks to the retention and domestication of Data Services of the government needs rising from the operation of government and that data that is owned by the government must be hosted locally.
According to him, “Cloud services will sufficiently improve how services are delivered in Nigeria and change the face of the public sector if it is understood and implemented as it ought to be.”
Catering to the aspect of a Cloud end-user, Collins Osugo stated that “Banks have been in the forefront of Cloud Computing,” but added that for banks to have the confidence to host and work with local providers there are certain criteria that need to be met.
“Once the government plays its significant role in making sure adequate infrastructures are in place and the enterprenuised, i.e. KPMG, VMware accesses the risk and ensures that the skills required to manage these services are also in place, then the sky’s the limit,” Osugo said.
Dave Funnell on his part said “Interrogate your cloud provider because not all cloud providers are equal and can deliver the services you require. However, the certification VMware provides Cybercloud should help build the element of trust; and trust is key because Cloud Computing is the way to accelerate a business.”
He further said that Cloud is an enabler to fast forward to the future, adding that working with a cloud provider that is reputable can really enable one’s business.
From his perspective, the Managing Director, Cyberspace Limited, Joe Onwubuya concluded by urging the attendees to subscribe to the flexible services that CyberCloud has to offer.
Onwubuya said: “CyberCloud can accommodate both the small businesses and big enterprises and can assure you that based on the policies from NITDA, we continue to run a very secure system.”
Bringing the session to a close, Laurel Onumonu, Head CyberCloud Business, highlighted the offerings of CyberCloud and encouraged all the participants to contact the firm via its social media platforms for answers to the questions raised.
Onumonu further stated, “We urge you to watch out for more series on Cloud Computing and what it has to offer.”
