Zenith Bank sponsors tech start-ups

Web Editor | ConsumerConnect

A Nigerian leading financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc, supported and sponsored various indigenous technology start-ups and innovative ideas at its recent Tech Fair.

Fondly themed Zenith Tech Fair, and titled: ‘Future forward’, which showcased leading technology innovations across every aspect of life, held at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Nation reports Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank, said the leading financial institution had always organised some form of technology summit over the years.

Mr. Ovia, however, said the tech fair was a bit different from the previous years because as of now, the world has gone so digital and Nigerian economy is being digitised.

He disclosed Nigeria has well-trained Nigerian engineers, IT and practitioners, and there is a need to encourage them.

Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zenith Bank Plc, who was pleased with the turnout of people in attendance, acknowledged that virtually every stakeholder in the digital ecosystem was represented at the event.

“I am very impressed with the quality of presentation. We had presentations from Google, IBM, Oracle, and several others and every one of them talked about the huge potential in Nigeria and the opportunity for growth expansion that awaits us.

“So, I believe what we need to do is take it to an elevated level to see what happens,” Onyeagwu said.

Regarding the readiness of the Tech Fair for discussions on 5G technologies, he said it was mature, stressing that Nigeria needs to be aware of what is happening.

“We need to be aware of the direction of travels. So, if everyone is taking about 5G and moving ahead, what you see in the digital space is that, if you fail to adapt to the latest technology, you will soon become irrelevant,” he declared.

Juliet Ehimuan, Google’s Country Manager in Nigeria, who said she felt great being at Zenith Bank’s Tech Fair said that technology has played a very important role and continues to play that role in transforming the way we live, work, do business and interact with one another.