The leadership of Cisco Africa Team has expressed willingness to partner with Nigeria in the area of Digital Economy.
This is to further drive the vision of the Nigerian Government in the digitalisation process.
At a virtual meeting initiated by Ms Pastora Valero, the Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, the Organisation commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.
Global attention
Ms. Valero said ”the Minister’s unprecedented legacies in the Nigerian Economy is establishing a vibrant digital sector that has caught global attention.”
She urged Dr Pantami to consider avenues of partnerships with Cisco.
“We have keenly followed your progress and would very much like to be a part of your vision in driving the sector and are open to partnerships in that regard,” Ms. Valero stated.
The Senior Director Policy and Governmental Affairs, Africa, Charmaine Houvet affirmed that “Dr Pantami’s policies were in line with global trends and the potential for development in Nigeria cannot be ignored.
”The leadership that the Minister has brought to bear in the sector is highly commendable and Cisco is willing to be a part of this journey,” Houvet said.
Dr Pantami in a statement through his Spokesperson, Mrs Uwa Suleima said; ”we are championing a paradigm shift in the country leveraging on technology to give preference and priority to proven skills over paper qualifications. Particularly, digital skills.”
He drew the team’s attention to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) Document particularly, pillars two and seven, centred around digital literacy, skills and digital societies and emerging technologies, with the objective of capacity building through digital skills acquisition.
Dr. Pantami identified the need for partnership in the areas of training and urged Cisco to “establish training academies across Nigeria, especially in underserved areas in order to empower citizens with the requisite skills required to maintain global relevance”.
The Minister however set up a technical team to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding in that regard.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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