A group of Nigerian startups experts is seeking a partnership with Voice of Nigeria, VON, to showcase its products in Africa and beyond.
The marketing Communication Officer, Adanian Labs, Tomilola Adu while on a courtesy visit to VON’s Director-General, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, in Lagos said the group aims to strategically partner with the broadcast station in the areas of Media and Communications.
Adu said; “We are here for three things; to strategically partner with Voice of Nigeria in the areas of Media and Communications because we believe that Voice of Nigeria is really strong and it could help to reposition ourselves and even Voice of Nigeria in the Nigerian market and beyond. And because we also understand that VON does not just have influence in just Nigeria but beyond Nigeria in the areas of communication, publicity, etc.”
”We are also driving more of something that could benefit Nigeria. Some of the products that we have here are because we are an innovation venture capitalist. We are trying to drive a movement for Nigeria and for people to believe in Nigeria again through innovation. We want to make an impact so one of our goals is to impact 300 startups across Africa. Adanian labs are not just in Nigeria, we have in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, among other countries.
”The third thing is to amplify us and help Voice of Nigeria to reposition itself as a front leader or a frontier for tech innovation. So these are the three core areas that I believe the aim of our visit to Voice of Nigeria is.”
Similarly, Adanian Labs led by its community Labs Manager in Nigeria, Alexander Cheijina, believes Voice of Nigeria is a platform for its products,
Cheijina said; “As an institution, we think that the media is a veritable tool for showcasing who we are, what we do, and how and that dovetails into Africa. We are a venture lab that stores, and incubates innovation startups that speak to solving Africa’s problems. So you know globally there is a new trend! We are in the fourth industrial revolution of which IT is changing that landscape.”
“So for us, there are three core areas we centre on in terms of AI, (Artificial Intelligence), machine learning and blockchain technology. So these are emerging technologies. And for us as an institution, we try to see how we can look out for startups that solve Africa’s needs across several sectors, be it healthcare, tech or whatever innovation that addresses problems.
Secondly, create jobs because that is where we are looking at. So what we are here for is to showcase startups that have been under our care for over six months, how we can nurture them and connect them to strategic partners to grow their businesses. If they can grow their businesses, then they will be able to employ people into their fold. They can solve problems that are relating to products that they have developed across healthcare, financial records, and also across Information management systems. So that is why we are here,” Cheijina said.
Achievements
He said Adanian Labs has been in existence for two years and during those two years have been impactful.
“In the last two years, I would like to say that we have incubated, developed, and created startups in no particular order. There is an app record. This is recorded under our care, so for Nigeria now, there is better life, there is a stretch, and there is Basira and other apps that we have incubated. We have supported startups not just by funding our potential investors but also by seeing how we can connect them to partners and institutions that can further use their products to reach out to beneficiaries of the products. Then also expanding our frontiers to other markets needing our services like South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda, among others because we see that we need to tap into the resources of Africa and at the end of the day connect as well as deliver them through the innovations they have created,” Cheijina explained.
Speaking on the demographics of Adanian Labs, he said; ”Adanian Labs is a mix of young and old.
“Majorly the young because we see that technology is a major disruptor and for the youths, their energy and their thinking is critical in driving them forward. Demographics is more of the youths than those who are advanced.”
Adanian in the future
In the next two to five years, Chiejina said; ”Adanian Labs intends to be a reference point in terms of supporting startups into disruptive and innovative things within the African ecosystem irrespective of the sector.
“Secondly we become a referral point with regards to one or two of our focal areas, AI Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology, which is also an emerging field. So currently we have what is called ABC, African Block Chain Centre. What that centre does is that it creates innovative solutions that solve blockchain-related issues as an emerging technology and contribute in advancing economic development for the African market.”
Responding, the Director-General, Mr Osita Okechukwu said that Voice of Nigeria was ready to partner with Adanian Labs Nigeria.
He said; “For us to have you in our midst physically, it says a lot about the partnership that Adanian Labs and Voice of Nigeria have agreed to foster, it is for the development of our continent and the global community as well.”
The Deputy Director, Digital Media, Mrs Mary Atolagbe represented the VON’s DG at the event.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
