The Minister of Communications, Digital Economy and Innovation Bosun Tijani says private sector is the highest contributor to the success so far achieved in the nation’s drive to fully digitise its economy through the telecom/ICT industry.
He spoke at the opening ceremony of the three day 2023 Digital Nigeria Conference organised in Abuja by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), with the theme, “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Job Creation, Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainability.”
The Minister in appreciating the contributions of the private sector in the growth recorded so far in the ICT/Telecom sector said, there is a need for more collaborations between government and the private sector.
“We recognise that the private sector has been the backbone of the investments in infrastructure, there’s we should recognise and celebrate the fact that this is the highest growing telecommunication sector on the African continent, and for us as a government, we will like to show our appreciation to all the private investors and private sector players that have participated in getting us to this point.
“But let’s recognise the fact that our collective responsibility and investment got us to this point. And that’s the only thing that will get us to where we need to be.”
He said the “Nigerian government has always been one that is open to collaboration, but also inpute from the private sector. There’s hardly any policy committee that the government set up today that is not fully formed with the consent or participation of the private sector. “
The Minister also said Nigeria is now a top destination for tech startups.
According to him, of the $5 million invested in tech startups in Africa, 20 per cent is domiciled in Nigeria.
“Today, Nigeria is the top destination for technology startup capital in Africa, with about 5 million dollars invested in tech startups in the continent last year; we took 20 per cent of that total investment just to Nigeria. So, we recognize the amazing work that has been done”, he said.
He also noted that Nigeria must constantly adapt to new technologies if we are to get the best out of evolving technologies,
“Technology is constantly evolving and those who take the most out of technologies are countries that have in place, a progressive attitude, the progressive attitude to continue to ask questions and demand better ways of doing things. The progressive attitude to prioritise innovation and new ways of doing things,” Tijani said
He lauded the efforts put underground by trailblazers such as NITDA, Galaxy Backbone and other innovative companies in the country that have set the baseline for technology development.
The Director General, NITDA, Kachifu Inuwa said government is using digital technology to foster job creation .
“This will ensure inclusive economic growth, and lay the foundation for the future digital economy in Nigeria for all.”
Inuwa explained that the conference is designed to achieve six major objectives, which includes “opportunities to network as meeting people is critical to our life and our career succession. So meeting new people and reading are the key things that change our lives.”
According to Inuwa, building a stronger digital ecosystem will give Nigeria global visibility.
“Today we have a large delegation from the global ecosystem coming from the US, Europe, Asia and all other parts of the world. So this visibility that’s what can lead to economic activities and trade in general, which can help us to create a more prosperous nation.”
The Keynote Speaker and
Managing Director, Main One-Funke Opeke in her keynote address titled “The Role Emerging Technologies can play in helping Nation’s Leapfrog”
She gave a benchmark of countries that Nigeria can copy to grow her economy digitaly.
“So these are the benchmarks that we aspire to as a nation to achieve. While we may satisfy Singapore as a model, because it’s a city state of less than 10 million people. Perhaps South Korea, with a population of over 50 million provides a more relevant module for us to consider.
“Alternatively, we could think of India with a population of 1.4 billion, currently the world’s largest and a nation that is transforming its economy with technology.”
The 2023 Digital Nigeria Conference brought together over 5000 stakeholders developing partners and startups companies in the ICT and Telecommunications sector in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide also had exhibition.
