At the 19th International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) held in Kano, the Chairman of the Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, delivered a goodwill message to the College of Fellows, calling on the Federal Government to prioritize affordable electricity for educational and research institutions nationwide.
Ekeh stressed that unreliable and costly power supply remains one of the biggest obstacles to innovation, digital adoption, and the competitiveness of Nigerian institutions. He urged the government to consider targeted electricity subsidies for universities, polytechnics, and research centres, ensuring that young Nigerians enjoy uninterrupted access to the digital tools and infrastructure needed to thrive in a knowledge-driven economy.
He noted that fewer than 5% of educational institutions can afford to power their campuses for even six hours daily, while electricity tariffs from the national grid remain prohibitively high for effective digital learning. Under such conditions, he asked, how can under-resourced knowledge workers access global content to teach students?
According to him, urgent interventions are needed to improve the quality of graduates expected to compete globally. Even students and lecturers who own digital learning devices, he observed, often go weeks without being able to recharge them due to power shortages.
Beyond electricity, the Zinox Chairman highlighted other critical needs, including strengthening local manufacturing, deepening digital literacy, and incentivizing private sector partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s technological growth. His remarks aligned with the conference theme, “Intelligent, Secure and Sustainable Innovation for a Connected World,” as he reminded stakeholders that no nation can achieve true digital transformation without deliberate investment in human capital and infrastructure.
“At Zinox, we have nothing to prove. We have endured the pains of upholding global standards, as reflected in our critical international certifications. I vouch for all products supplied by the Zinox Group. We are fully equipped—technically and financially—to support corporations and all levels of government in this digital race powered by AI. This is the only way Africa can claim a leadership role; otherwise, we risk being permanently marginalized on the global stage,” he said.
Ekeh further noted that the next five years are crucial for Nigeria’s emergence as a leading nation. “If we combine common sense with technology and leverage our large population, we can make wealth a right for over 75% of Nigerians. Investing in tech businesses is currently the most cost-effective and sustainable option, with highly rewarding returns,” he concluded.
His message set the tone for robust discussions at the conference, underscoring the shared responsibility of industry leaders, government, and academia in building a sustainable technology ecosystem for Nigeria’s future.
