Tech for Good: How Digital Tools Can Uplift Lives in Nigeria

Imagine a Nigeria where… •You can access a doctor remotely for a quick consultation, thanks to a telehealth app. •Help arrives within minutes during an emergency, thanks to a well-coordinated response system using real-time data.

•You can easily pay bills and access government services from your phone, eliminating long queues and frustration.

•When you are sick, you can visit any healthcare facility, present your medical aid card, and get treatment without a demand for payment. Thanks to a real poverty alleviation program.

This future is closer than you think, thanks to the power of digital technology. While advanced countries are already reaping the benefits of these advancements, governments in Nigeria can leverage the same tools to significantly improve the lives of their citizens. Afterall, the banking system is already utilizing this technology to make banking a little better. Although there are long queues, over-crowding in banking halls and long lines at ATM machines, bank management can take immediate steps to mitigate these abnormal occurrences. Displaying live current wait times for bank branches online could help customers make informed decisions about when and what bank branch to visit, potentially choosing off-peak hours and can help spread out customer visits evenly throughout the day or week. This will obviously help customers to better plan their day. Banks can also, through capacity building, expand the physical capacity of banking halls, open more branches in high demand areas and increase staffing during peak hours to help manage customer volume more effectively. Let’s explore how tech can be a game-changer in key areas.

Every second counts in an emergency. By establishing wellequipped Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) staffed by trained personnel, emergency calls can be routed efficiently to the appropriate service – police, fire department, or ambulance. Imagine dialing a single number and reaching a trained professional who can pinpoint your location using advanced GPS technology, even if you are unable to speak. PSAPs are the nerve center of emergency response, ensuring timely assistance when it matters most. Developed countries like the United States have a well-established network of PSAPs that utilize advanced call routing and location tracking technologies. Our nearby neighbor Ghana already has something similar. Nigeria can invest in establishing similar infrastructure and training emergency response personnel to effectively manage emergency situations. Imagine a system that can pinpoint your location through your smartphone and dispatch help immediately, whether it is for a medical emergency, fire, or a car accident. Technology is playing a crucial role in streamlining emergency response, potentially saving lives. Additionally, wearable health monitors can automatically detect falls or other health emergencies and send alerts to emergency services, ensuring help arrives quickly for those who need it most.

Crime prevention and solving cases become more efficient with technology. Database-driven motor vehicle registration, like systems in developed countries, can track stolen vehicles and unlicensed drivers. Here in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) registers all motor vehicles in Nigeria and issues driver licenses to all qualified drivers. With this in place, digital tools can be a big asset for law enforcement during traffic stops in a couple of ways, instant background checks and automated license plate readers(ALPR). Through instant background checks, officers can use mobile databases to run a driver’s license and registration in real-time. This can reveal outstanding warrants, stolen vehicles, or suspended licenses, potentially leading to the discovery of more serious crimes. For example, the officer could decide to open the boot of the vehicle and perhaps make other discoveries…one thing leads to another. The ALPR systems can scan license plates as patrol cars drive by, flagging stolen vehicles or those associated with wanted individuals. This can help catch criminals before they even know they have been spotted. One day, during the early morning busy traffic in the city of Raleigh, I was pulled over by a Raleigh police officer on a motorbike. He requested my license and registration (papers in Nigerian parlance). I politely told the officer I did not have my driver license on my person, but I gave him the driver license number. He took down the number and went back to motorbike to use his laptop to check me out. My driver license number returned my clear picture and every other thing checked out. I received a citation for speeding over the speed limit and I had the option to appear in court or mail the fine to the court. Police officers do not collect fines or money. The vehicle information that the officer retrieved showed my vehicle registration was active as well as my vehicle insurance. If the information the officer retrieved had shown my vehicle insurance had lapsed, then the officer would have been duty bound to order my car parked by the roadside because only vehicles with continuous liability insurance are allowed to be operated on the roads of North Carolina and there are no ifs or buts whatsoever. These digital tools are important because they give officers a wider picture of the situation during a routine traffic stop.

CCTV cameras with facial recognition software, implemented ethically and with proper oversight, can deter crime and assist in investigations. Technology empowers law enforcement to be more proactive and efficient in keeping communities safe. For instance, Singapore’s extensive network of CCTV cameras and advanced crime analytics software have contributed significantly to its low crime rates. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between security and privacy. The Nigerian government can establish clear guidelines and robust oversight mechanisms to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and ethically.

Technology can make our homes more secure. Home security devices can act as lifelines in emergencies by connecting you to public safety agencies through two main methods, professional monitoring, and self-monitoring. With professional monitoring, security systems connect to a central monitoring station staffed 24/7. When a sensor (smoke detector, medical alert button, etc.) is triggered, the signal is sent to the station.

Here, trained professionals can attempt to contact you to verify the emergency and if you do not respond or confirm a false alarm, dispatch the appropriate emergency services (fire department, ambulance, police) directly. Sometimes, they might even contact emergency services immediately depending on the type of sensor triggered (e.g., smoke detector). Self-Monitoring on the other hand allows you to receive alerts directly on your smartphone or connect to local authorities yourself. While this does not involve a monitoring center, it can still provide a fast way to call for help.

By providing these options, home security devices function as a vital link between your home and emergency responders, potentially saving precious time during critical situations. The Nigerian government can incentivize the adoption of affordable smart home security solutions and promote digital literacy programs to educate citizens on how to leverage technology for home security. Additionally, the government must encourage the private sector to set up professional monitoring companies that can collaborate with public safety agencies.

Continues online