Digital Economy: Nigeria establishes over 1,667 ICT centres, develops 16 policies
Na’ankwat Dariem
The Nigerian Government says it has established more than one thousand six hundred and sixty seven (1,667) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centres and developed sixteen (16) ICT policies within two years.
This, it said, is geared towards supporting the country’s digital drive.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, disclosed this at the virtual commissioning of the “11th Batch of seven Digital Economy projects for a Digital Nigeria” on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
Pantami said that the seven projects could be mapped to relevant pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy Strategy (NDEPS), adding that twelve ICT policies are being implemented while four others are awaiting approval from the Federal Executive Council.
The projects include the Emergency Communication Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State; School Knowledge Centre, Sanda Kyarimi Day Secondary School, Borno State; Digital Economy Centre and E- Learning Facilities; and the Imam Malik Academy, Sokoto State.
Others were Digital Economy Centre, E- Learning Facilities, Nneato Secondary School, Abia State; Digital Economy Centre, E- Learning University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Digital Economy Centre, E- Learning Eleyele Secondary School, Oyo State and Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre, Gombe State College of Education.
He noted that the seven projects are part of the Policies of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and are being supervised by the Ministry.
“These projects are part of several other projects we have executed.
“In the last 2 years we have developed policies, initiated programmes and executed projects to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy continues to play a key role in growth of our economy.
“The Tertiary Institutions Knowledge Centre (TIKC) was deployed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). This project includes bandwidth connectivity and the installation of ICT devices and peripherals.
“The TIKC project also doubles as an ICT centre for students to acquire and improve their ICT skills.
“It will promote the use of ICT in teaching and learning at tertiary institutions and their immediate communities,” he said.
The Minister explained that digital economy was a core driver of innovation, competitiveness and economic growth, adding that no nation can build a digital economy without a constant pool of highly qualified creative talent.
He, however, noted that knowledge Institutions play a critical role in the development of the digital economy as they serve as centres for generation and impartation of new knowledge to citizens.
Pantami disclosed that these institutions not only equip individuals with relevant knowledge and skills, but also provide a bustling environment that stimulates innovation thereby enabling them contribute meaningfully in the socio- economic development of their society.
The Minister quoted the World Bank as saying, “digital technologies are forecast to be a major driver of productivity, with successful economies depending on greater numbers of digitally skilled workers than has previously been the case.
“For example, a digital single market in Europe is expected to increase the region’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by €415 billion and will increase the need for a new set of digital skills by 12 percent in 2024.
“It is in recognition of the need to empower our citizens with the requisite knowledge to thrive in the digital economy that we are deploying projects such as the ones being launched today.”
He encouraged all the host communities of these interventions provided by the government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that they take full advantage of the facilities for the benefit of their communities.
Pantami thanked partners, stakeholders and commended heads of both parastatals for shouldering responsibilities and urged them to redouble their efforts in ensuring that these projects were maximally utilized.
On his part, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, assured that with the enabling policies and projects under the supervision of the Minister, would impact on the lives of Nigerian positively and enable the digital transformation in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries at the event include: Ag. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mrs Nonye Nwachukwu; Chairman of the Board of the NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande Executive; Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (NCC), Mr Adeleke Adewolu; Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited, Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, among others.
