ICT 4 Leadership The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Building New Leaders in Nigeria ‘Gbenga Sesan Program Manager / Team Leader Lagos Digital Village / Paradigm Initiative Nigeria | Youth WANGONeT. March Lagos, Nigeria

ICTs: A Quick Tour ICTs: Information and Communication Technologies (the means of generating, processing, transporting and presenting information) Old ICTs exist, but the new ICTs follow: – – Information Technology Computers; Data processing/number crunching – – Telecommunications Telephones, fax, satellite, TV; Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) – – Networks Internet, data, satellite, cell; Pretty Amazing New Services (PANS) ICTs: Convergence of Communications, Computers, Consumer electronics, Content Convergence at the level of technology – all is in bits (binary digits); industry; policy & regulation; advocacy and multi-stakeholder participation

Leadership: The Great Need Leadership is a great need for people-groups, communities and nations. It connects wishes with reality … when you wish for your school fees or for better roads, true leadership helps convert these wishes to reality Nigeria needs a new generation of leaders who will continue our journey from dependence through independence to interdependence Leadership opportunities can come in many ways (election, selection) but you are the only one who can prove whether you are a leader or ruler/opportunist/”fish out of water” Our need for new leaders will only amount to wishful thinking if we don’t work at it – building them The art of building leaders requires deliberate efforts at maximising relevant tools One of such tools is Information and Communication Technology

ICT4Leadership: Way Forward ICTs can help connect you to opportunities that prepare you for leadership: Research: Find out how X led Y country out of Z situation by using search engines Library Without Walls: Read accounts, (auto)biographies of great leaders who inspire you Peer Energy: Learn from your colleagues – those who are moving in the same direction with you (leadership) Follow leadership acts in your community and the world at large through old and new ICTs (media reports, websites, etc). Learn from errors and right acts Get involved! Policy. Participation. Public engagement. Online access helps you through mailing lists, blogs, , news groups, etc One day, you will be in the same shoes with the person you passionately admire or vehemently criticize

THANK YOU ‘Gbenga Sesan Program Manager / Team Leader Lagos Digital Village / Paradigm Initiative Nigeria | Youth WANGONeT. March Lagos, Nigeria