The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a mixed bag of experiences for different industries and sectors of the ecosystem. While some sectors are gritting their teeth, with unfavourable conditions and experiencing untoward challenges, other are having a field day and smiling to the bank!
I, recently, had a chat with Titi Adewusi, Founder, 9ijakids, on Tech Trends show, on Channels Television, where she shared her experiences and challenges in the Edtech sector, during this COVID-19 era more.
CFA: Titi, glad to have you on the show today.
Titi: Hi, CFA. Nice to be here.
CFA: So, how is it going?
Titi: It’s been interesting times, honestly, COVID has been interesting times and I would say a good one, really, for the Edtech industry, generally speaking, so, we’re happy.
CFA: How much of an impact do you think the pandemic have had on the Edtech industry?
Titi: Honestly, I would say it’s the best thing, since sliced bread. It;s been totally fantastic. I will be very honest. You know, Edtech before, was nice to have. Something we are considering. Something that is for the future.
Something that is at the back burner and then, suddenly, COVID happened and then, you were not, even, pushed. What’s a bigger word than push. You were dragged into the front burner. That is the only way I can describe it.
COVID-19, the pandemic had really created an enabling environment. Edtech is no longer a nice to have Edtech is now a must and it’s not only for the education space, when you look at it from the point of education, but even, for the corporate space. A lot of training which we had to transition online, using technology, a lot of things they were doing, meetings. It was just been an awesome time for Edtech, so, I’m really excited in what this means.
What this means is that, we won’t go back to how it was before. It is now something that everybody will be seriously considering, irrespective of the business that they are in. Before, it used to be the big players, you know, the banks, the telcos, like some who have deep pockets, they were considering it.
Schools that were big, yes, they were considering Edtech, but now, everyone is considering it. Everyone just has to consider it, if they are to have some bit of survival during this period and even, beyond. So, its been exciting times. We’re so excited. We are like, ‘this is open heavens from God. It’s been good.
CFA: What do you think are some of the challenges that this also portends for the education industry in the country, or globally?
Titi: Well, let me start with the country, because our own challenges are a bit interesting. You know, technology, Edtech requires 3 key factors. The first is that you have data and connectivity, the second is that you have power, or electricity and the third is that you have some form of device. In a lot of countries, the only challenge is usually, the device. All the kids have the devices and all that, but in Nigeria, those 3 factors are challenges.
You can watch the full interview here
