Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami says the country’s Startup Act is attracting global attention as countries and experts are seeking to understudy the development and implementation process.
He disclosed this at the ongoing 3-day Digital Nigeria Exhibition and Conference 2022, tagged: ‘Digital Transformation;a Path to sustainable Digital Economy’ organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in Abuja, Nigeria.
Professor Pantami also revealed that Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in America has monitored the process and has commended Nigeria on the successful passage .
The Minister said “Just two month ago, I received an email from Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) in America. MIT is one of the best University globally that they have been monitoring our progress in Nigeria also commending the efforts of Nigeria with the recent signed Startup bill.
“They expressed their willingness to learn from what we have been doing. MIT sent us an email for a public engagement. I had an open discussion which attracted global participation”
Pantami noted that this has shown that even with the challenges faced in Nigeria, the Digital Economy Sector is the most performing in the country and the world acknowledges this great stride.
He attributed the success to President Muhammadu Buhari and stakeholders in the industry as the Act will unlock inherent economic potential of Nigerians, especially young people.
He said the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy made over N408 billion remittances to the Federal Government, in the last three years.
According to Pantami, the agencies under his supervision boosted the growth of Nigeria’s economy, as it is presently contributing about 18% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Not only that, we have also developed 19 policies, with 17 already executed to ensure a full digital transformation and inclusion in the country”
Pantami called on all stakeholders to persist in supporting the government to further accelerate the development of the digital economy sector.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed commended Professor Pantami on his drive towards digital transformation in the ICT sector.
Mohammed said the communication industry was the fastest growing sector globally and in the country which had impacted the economy as well as created job opportunities.
He noted that technological growth in the country had also promoted fake news and hate speech, which people should be mindful of.
In her keynote address the Sectary General Digital Cooperation Organisation, Ms Deemah Yahya Alyahya who applauded Nigeria for the successes recorded stressed the need for collaborative efforts to bridge the digital gap globally through the deployment of digital Infrastructure and services.
Also, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of The Gambia, Ousman Bah, emphasised that adoption of Block chain technology foster financial inclusion globally.“We can see enormous benefits of block chain, especially for improving financial inclusion and nurturing the growth of micro and small businesses. There are also significant challenges to overcome if we are to realise these benefits. Issues of trust, consumer protection, and systemic network risks that can slow the pace of progress require clear and robust regulations,” he said.
Bah said his country was learning part of the processes Nigeria was using in boosting development in the sector, adding that in 2023, his Ministry had targeted five pillars to boost ICT in Gambia.
The Director General NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, said Nigeria is working on how to become a global supplier of tech talents.
“We have several initiatives to position Nigeria to become the global talent supplier. Nigeria has the capacity to fill up the global talent gap. We are exploring how to use technology to create and capture values. Digital transformation is not about the technology, it is all about designing people technology to deliver things the way you want it and how you want it,” he said.
The conference will feature plenary sessions on topics such as inclusive growth in the face of Digital Transformation, Data protection and National Security, block chain summit, award night and among others
The high point of the event was the Unvieling of the book titled Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami: Advancing Nigeria’s Drive Towards a Digital Economy.
