Severally, I have made attempt to probe the essence of democracy, laid bare to its underlying assumptions and contradictions, and I remain resolutely convinced of its groundbreaking potential to unlock substantial growth, fertilise inclusive participation, ensure accountable governance, as well promote social justice in our polity.
Again, I am strongly convinced that it is through democracy that we can find solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges, harness the collective wisdom of fellow countrymen, create a more just and equitable society, and empower various marginalised voices.
I am elevated and very inspired by the engaging responses to my previous columns on democracy and active citizenship, which has fueled a firestorm of national conversation on the future of our beloved country and what we can improve upon, and I am indeed thrilled to see you young people and friends engaging in constructive dialogue, sharing bright ideas, and constructively demanding greater accountability from our leaders across board.
Your continued engagement is unequivocal declaration to our shared passion for a functional, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria, and I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for being a partner in national development.
Today, let us ponder on the elusive specter that technology is, a powerful force that has revolutionised the foundation of our lives, it is a paradigm shift in human civilisation that has transformed the way we live, work, interact, and govern.
I won’t bore you with dry definitions or tedious terminologies, after all, we all have informed understanding of what technology is, but rather, I hope to explore its multifaceted nature, far-reaching implications, profound impact on our collective destiny, and its potential to drive democratic renewal and revitalisation.
Technology’s impact is palpable across various sectors; it brings about evolutionary benefits, unprecedented opportunities, unintended consequences, and new challenges, necessitating a nuanced understanding of its role in shaping our world, mitigating its risks, and maximising its benefits.
In Nigeria, we have seen how it revolutionised our election processes, enhanced governance, fostered accountability, improved service delivery, and empowered citizens, – but we can still agree that it has not been maximally utilised.
It awaits more visionary leadership, strategic investment, explorations and inclusive dialogue.
The forebears of democracy may not have envisioned technology’s profound and broader impact, but today, it has emerged as a powerful partner in realising democratic aspirations, enhancing transparency, citizen engagement, effective governance, and participatory decision-making. And that is a good addition. With the fusion of technology, we can create a more inclusive, responsive, accountable, and participatory democracy, a democratic atmosphere where every voice is heard, every citizen counts, and every leader is held accountable.
Technology has already transformed global democracies, from e-voting or mail-in voting, and digital activism to data-driven policy making, social media mobilisation, and online citizen engagement, – while acknowledging potential drawbacks, such as disinformation, digital divides, amplifier for hate messages and cyber threats, we must honestly recognise its vast potential to drive democratic renewal, encourage and boost civic engagement, promote inclusive governance, and seek to interrogate its other many projected virtues. In Nigeria, technology has truly improved our election processes, governance, and accountability, but there is room to improvement, when this is done, it will further support transparency, citizen participation, and inclusive decision-making.
I have witnessed technology’s problem-solving prowess firsthand in various corporate settings where I have served and valuable contributions.
These places were; in exclusive interpretations, established by democratic provisions, where creative approaches have been deployed to overcome knotty situations, drive business growth, enhance societal impact, and promote sustainable development. It is paramount to state that when we combine technology with human ingenuity, creativity, intelligent quotient, and collaborative spirit, we can overcome seemingly intractable challenges, drive economic growth, strengthen social justice, and promote democratic governance.
There is always room for broad and critical thinking; we can consider possible examples of technology’s democratic applications, such as a more tech-enabled seamless voting systems, AI-driven policy analysis tools, data analytics platforms, online citizen engagement portals, and digital participatory budgeting initiatives, which can enhance our democracy, increase efficiency, reduce corruption, and promote inclusive governance, but all these require the political will to make it happen, some intentional and strategic investments, inclusive dialogues, and institutional capacity to implement. But will that be too much to ask and push for ? Definitely no.
We must genuinely learn and adopt from countries like the United Kingdom, China, America, South Korea, Singapore, among others that are truly harnessing the power of technology to drive economic growth, governance efficiency, societal well-being, and democratic renewal, – this presents before us, valuable lessons and inspiring examples for our own democratic journey. We can learn from their experiences, adopt solutions fit to our unique context, motivate a distinctive path that blends technology, democracy, and development, and create a future that the generations to come will be proud of.
While we can’t simply replicate western models or adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, I have deep faith in Nigeria’s bright and forward-thinking tech enthusiasts. I have met with a few numbers of them, they possess the talent, creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit to drive democratic innovation, societal transformation, and economic growth. If we tap into their local expertise, ingenuity, and trailblazing potential, we can definitely craft local and avant-garde answers to our distinct challenges, create a more all-encompassing and participatory democracy, and ensure a future full of glamour.
Let me know your thoughts and musing about these. And as a Nigerian born or based tech enthusiast, kindly share your expert opinions and views on how your work has or the tech constituency can advance our democratic aspirations. I will love to hear from you. See you next week, and please enjoy your weekend.
~ Amofin Beulah Adeoye
Friday, September 13, 2024