Our Step-Down Agenda Must Drive Positive Change- Communications Minister

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasised that the Ministry’s step-down agenda on the eight key priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must focus on full implementation to drive positive societal change.

Dr. Tijani made this statement at a two-day Capacity Building event for the top management staff of the ministry, the Ministerial Delivery Task Team, and heads of agencies in Keffi, Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria.

The event was themed “Step Down Retreat for the Ministry & its Agencies Top Management Staff and Ministerial Delivery Task Team on Presidential Deliverables.”

Dr. Tijani highlighted the importance of aligning the Ministry’s deliverables with the Presidential deliverables, as outlined in the policy document of the Strategic Blueprint, which integrates key technologies to support the President’s agenda and the social investment program.

He stressed that technology is crucial for identifying vulnerable individuals with special needs in society.

The Minister expressed confidence that the Ministry could positively impact the economy through digital skills and their application in education, agriculture, health, and other sectors.

He praised the retreat’s timing and importance in building the capacity of the Ministry and its agencies to understand their responsibilities and deliver on their goals in line with the Presidential deliverables.

Dr. Tijani noted that the main challenge facing Nigeria is not a lack of vision or ideas but ensuring that innovation is integrated across the government and society.

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He emphasized that the Step-Down Agenda should focus on driving the desired societal change, contributing to making Nigeria a better place for all.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo outlined the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, which has five pillars (Knowledge/Talent, Policy, Infrastructure, Entrepreneurship/Innovation/Capital and Trade) that align with national and global visions.

He emphasized the Renewed Hope Agenda’s eight priorities and the Performance Management System, a new government policy on digitalization that will be tracked by the President.

Yabo urged stakeholders to create an environment that fosters the digitalization of the economy across sectors to achieve the administration’s objectives.

He assured participants that experts would provide insights into the President’s strategic policies for the Ministry and its agencies.

Professor Adepoju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, called for the proper calibration of the template to ensure a justified way of scoring.

The retreat included officials from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) and the Head of Service, who facilitated the technical sessions. The high point was the signing of a Performance Bond between the Minister, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and heads of agencies, which will extend to directors and heads of units.

Participants were drawn from the Ministry and its agencies.