Olanrewaju Sulyman Lanre may be born in Agege but his talent is changing the Nigeria’s ICT sector. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equinoxcore Technology Limited, an Indigenous information communication technology service provider established to provide cutting edge telecom services. In this exclusive interview with a National Newspaper; he explains to journalists how Information & Communication Technology (ICT) is relevant and important to Nigeria.
What are your responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of Equinoxcore Technology Limited Company?
By God’s grace, I started Equinoxcore Technology Limited about 13 years ago and as a company we have been striving hard and doing our best to improve the industry in the best way that we can. Being the head of the company, my responsibilities surpass the realm and size of the company, which makes my duty very tasking and demanding but we thank God.
What made you establish the company?
Equinoxcore Technology Limited was established out of passion of being a problem solver. At a specific time in Nigeria, we were way behind our counterparts, which led me to creating a team of passionate ICT professionals with a mission to provide excellent telecom services that connect people and businesses. A sizable number of businesses and individuals can not improve on their activities without the impact of ICT in Nigeria and the World at large.
Our teams are committed to providing quality IT infrastructure and customized ICT software solutions services that exceed your expectations. We all take pride in our work and strive to be the best in everything we do. Our goal is believing in excellent service delivery, integrity and giving our clients the best service experience in the most cost-effective manner. And as things go on, we desire to be the leading telecommunication service provider with an edge of excellence, combined with the determination to provide our services with motivated and evolving personnel, thereby meeting our client’s needs efficiently and on time.
The products and services that we offer include ICT consultancy, technical site survey, network planning and maintenance, software development, hybrid power installation – such as generators, inverters, batteries, and alarm systems – health safety environment, training, turnkey processes in GSM, CDMA, WIMAX and VSAT, sales and supply of computer systems, internet and intranet (LAN and WAN), data banks and network security, CCTV installation, access control, equipment procurement, cloud hotel ERP, security dispatch system (with navigation and tracking), e-Commerce solutions and apps, complete CRM suit, call centres, and so on.
What are the problems the Nigerian ICT industry is facing?
The main problem facing ICT and almost every other sector establishment is the high cost of establishing. ICT does not include only mobile phones, televisions, hardware, software or land phones, it’s scope extends to the more complicated aspects likes robots, networks like telecoms, drones and so on. The cost of establishment is high, a good example is taking the telecommunication service companies into consideration, then you realize that these companies have several branches and masts scattered all around the country which relatively implies that they spend a lot of money. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are really trying. There are many people that have the ideas and passion for ICT but when they consider the financial aspect, they often give up and face something else.
Insufficiency of skilled labour is another bedevilling factor. Even as Nigeria is experiencing rapid improvement in the level of computer literacy due to its inclusion into our school curriculum and the introduction of numerous computer training institutes across the nation. All these have not helped to increase the availability of computer-skilled labour. The complex and very advanced aspect of ICT like robotics has no deep root in Nigeria, partly due to the absence of related courses and required facilities in our institute of learning. While some are opportune to travel out to acquire the knowledge, there are some establishments that help their staff to broaden their knowledge and experience.
Basically, a major factor is electricity. For the ICT sector in Nigeria to witness progress wholly not only in application but also on the inventing and development aspect, electricity must be stable. It is still a shocker that Nigeria is still a country that experiences epileptic power supply till date. All the telecoms masts scattered across the country is powered heavy duty diesel generators which is not meant to be because it account for a very large budget on the company’s maintenance list.
A certain ICT firm recently claimed that it regretted that Nigeria’s low talents’ developing ideas and brain drain in the ICT sector is progressively increasing the poverty rate and decreases economic advancement.
In what ways is technology changing the operations of the ICT sector?
The back bone of ICT is technology, so both terms are considered as allies with no distinguish difference but in some ways there some technologies that are not ICT based. Technology has a pillar for several platforms has come to stay and the future depends on it.
These days ICT based on recent technology has made some things easier and smarter to achieve, like business, digital marketing, education, communication (both voice and messaging), virtual meetings and so on, all based on technological backed ICT.
What were the challenges you encountered when you started the business?
There are numerous challenges that arose when this business about to take off. One of the challenges was getting a location suitable enough to reach out to the desired and target market. Another one is getting a proper storage/warehouse space as ICT equipment needs a very good and conducive atmosphere for storage. These I remember was some of the challenges we face at inception.
What impact do you see your company making in the Information & Communication Technology sector?
When we started, it was a collective team decision to be a major player and also a game changer in the ICT sector of the country. So, our vision from on set is to get ICT products or deliverables delivered on time, putting into consideration Cost, Time, Quality, Personnel, Risk and Scope of the Project to meet our customer’s needs.
We’ve dreamt and have been able to be a leading Telecommunication Service Provider with an eye for Excellence. Our determination to provide our services with motivated and evolving qualified personnel, there by meeting our client’s needs efficiently and on time have been achieved and it is a major impact in the ICT sector.
Being an ICT broker, we are planning or should I say willing to collaborate with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Digital Economy because we are regulation of relevant Authorities such as Nigeria Computer Society, Computer Professionals of Nigeria, British Computer Society, Institute of Information Management Africa and others.
How do you make sure you render excellent customer service?
Every organized establishment will not take excellent customer service with kid’s gloves. As an organization, we are very particular about customer service. We deliver 100% when it comes to fulfilling a top notch customer service.
Communication is key, that is the reason we offer 24/7 customer support. Our team is available to help with any questions or issues our client may have. If you’re looking for reliable telecommunications services, look no further than us. We’re always here to help you stay connected and informed.
We consult with our clients’ on the design, structure, and efficiency of their ICT systems. We access and evaluate their needs and develop information systems solutions that meet the objectives of their organization or project. Either it is an upgrade that is needed on our clients’ ICT infrastructures or an entirely new system is required we ensure we firmly give advice on the best option that meet their immediate and future needs.
Whether it is a local area network, terrestrial/wide area network, we are ready to work with our new and existing clients from a conceptual network design stage to its deployment and maintenance. Not only can we help to keep your network online, we are always available, on-call 365 days a year.
How do you relax?
I always like to relax with my family but sometimes I do that with either my colleagues or business associates.
What’s your favourite place in the world?
Actually, I cannot tag a particular location because I like anywhere that is ICT compliant and up to date. But to mention a few, I like Finland because it is one of world’s leading countries in ICT, it is also the home to world-leading companies in a lot of ICT and digitalization sub-sectors, some among which, aim to solve global issues. Fuelled by innovation, Finland brought to the world the pioneering Nokia mobile phones, text message (SMS), the Heart Rate Monitor and the Linux operating system. In 2016, Finland is rated as the biggest contributor to global innovation in the world (ITIF).
Finland accomplishment includes mobile gaming companies such as Rovio (Angry Birds), Supercell (Clash of Clans) and Fingersoft. Wearable technologies like fitness trackers, smart contact lenses, augmented reality glasses, smart clothes, and smart fabrics. Others include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, London, New York and many more.
What’s trending in your industry and what’s your take?
Wow! There are lots of things that are trending in the ICT sector globally, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Datafication, Extended Reality, 3D Printing, Genomics, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Cyber Security, 5G, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Internet of Things, Smarter Devices just to mention a few.
Also, the ideas of Soft Learning, Reskill, Relearn, Unlearn Upskill, Satellite Communications, Fibre Optics, Point to Point and Point to Multi Points are very good and has good potentials for workplaces. And with help of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) all will be well.
With my personal projection, I am certain that this is the beginning for ICT as there are still going to more sophisticated technological innovations soon.
Culled: The Guardian Newspaper
