Prioritizing Data Control in Nigeria’s Tech Transformation
As Nigerian businesses increasingly adopt cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, Zoho Nigeria is calling for a more proactive approach to data governance. Speaking at the GrowthX by Techeconomy event in Lagos, Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, emphasized that organizations need to move beyond regulatory compliance and actively manage their digital assets.
Ogundare challenged businesses to ask critical questions about where their data resides, who has access, how it’s being used, and the level of control they maintain. With AI platforms potentially using business information for model training, understanding these aspects is particularly crucial.
Beyond Security: A Holistic Approach
The call extends beyond mere cybersecurity to encompass broader considerations like:
- Data sovereignty (where data is legally considered to be located)
- Access controls and audit trails
- Business continuity planning in case of disruptions
- The provider’s security certifications and practices
Ogundare noted that businesses should view technology procurement as a strategic decision involving multiple dimensions, not just cost.
Technology Should Enable, Not Complicate
The Zoho executive cautioned against adopting solutions that create new complexities instead of solving existing ones. He argued that technology should integrate with current workflows rather than requiring complete operational overhauls.
“Technology should work with your business processes,” Ogundare explained. “You customize the solution to fit, and as you gain insights from the data, you can gradually optimize those processes without disrupting operations.”
By taking a more holistic view of technology investments—including security, privacy, control, scalability, and measurable value—Nigerian businesses can ensure they’re building resilient digital foundations for sustainable growth.