TECHDIGEST – The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has reiterated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, remains committed to providing all the needed support to enable the growth and development of a thriving and globally competitive tech and innovation ecosystem.

Inuwa who was represented by Babajide Ajayi, the Director of Zonal Offices Directorate (ZOD) of the agency, said this at the recently concluded e-Government Hackathon organised by Ilorin Innovation Hub in Collaboration with the Kwara State Government to discover solutions to real-life problems that can transform governance and public sector operations with a focus on leveraging new technologies to bridge the existing gaps in governance.

According to Inuwa, the enactment of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA), which was the outcome of the collaborative effort of the ecosystem and the Presidency, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), is a testament that Nigeria is on the right track to harnessing the potentials of digital economy.

Inuwa argued that the NSA is aimed at providing; a legal and institutional framework for the development of startups; providing an enabling environment for establishment and operation of startups; development and growth of tech-related talents; and positioning Nigeria’s startup ecosystem as the leading digital technology center in Africa.

READ ALSO: Kwara State hosts 250 tech innovators for hackathon to improve govt operations

He also called on the Kwara State Government and all State Governments across the country to key into the implementation of the NSA to provide opportunities and resources that will empower more indigenous tech innovators to churn out solutions for local problems. Adding that this will provide a platform of support to young innovators to develop and commercialise their innovative ideas and be able to compete favourably in the global innovation space.

Inuwa also appreciated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for facilitating the partnership between the Ilorin Innovation Hub and the State Government by making the e-Government Hackathon become a reality towards unveiling innovative solutions by Nigerian youths, and by serving as one of the sustainable pillars to position Nigeria as a leading entrepreneurial hub in Africa.

The DG further commended the organisers for the initiatives which focused on; power and renewable energy; hardware (Internet of Things (IoT), drones, mobile devices); connectivity; web & mobile applications; and security & privacy.

He said, “the Hackathon will serve as a veritable platform for our talented youths to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions which the government is prepared to adopt for improved efficiency in public service delivery and increased productivity in government administration.”

“It is heartwarming to know that this hackathon is geared to support and promote indigenous talents to come up with relevant innovative solutions to our local problems, improve the way we do things, and engender prosperity in our environment. So, this is a challenge for the participants to come up with clearly defined ideas and develop solutions with an emphasis on the five specific areas of the hackathon.”

He stated that, “NITDA is proud to be associated with this laudable initiative. Your effort to drive the adoption of technology across the State is a demonstration of your administration’s commitment to transforming Kwara State into an economically viable and self-sustainable State where digital skills, youth empowerment, innovation, and technology thrive.”

Inuwa added that “Suffice it to say that your programmes are in alignment with several initiatives and programmes of the federal government that are being implemented by NITDA through its Special Purpose Vehicles, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), to develop and grow Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem.”

He further assured that NITDA remains committed to the partnership with the Kwara State government for the continued support and promotion of talented and exceptional indigenous innovators towards helping them grow and continue developing innovative solutions that will boost the economic fortune of the state, and Nigeria’s digital economy sector in general.

He also charged the participants to impact their environment with innovative solutions that will change the narrative of national economic development for the better.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, stated that the programme was organised to address key issues in government and revolutionise the way government operates in Nigeria, and how it can become more efficient through the adoption of technology and digital transformation.

He added that the contestants were grouped into 50 teams, each focusing on a specific area of government businesses and tackling identifiable problems, including letter and memo tracking systems, data capturing systems, and medical record systems for hospitals.

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TECHDIGEST – Kwara State in Nigeria hosted over 250 tech ecosystem builders from across the country over the weekend to develop new ideas and digital skills to tackle various problems associated with government businesses. The event, which lasted for two days, was attended by contestants from states such as Cross Rivers, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kwara.

The contestants spent the entire night coding, seeking solutions for various problems including memo and letter tracking systems, data capturing systems, medical record systems for hospitals, and election monitoring systems, among others. The competition was organized by the state-owned Ilorin Innovation Hub, led by Temi Kolawole and was keenly supervised by a panel of judges.

Prominent participants and mentors at the event included Justina Oha, the Country Director for UK Nigeria Tech Hub, Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya, the House of Reps candidate for APC Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, a representative from the Director General of the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), and Babajide Ajayi, the Director of Zonal offices of the agency. Other notable attendees included Kazeem Oladepo, the Vice President of IHS Towers, Memunat Monsuma, Engr. Taofik Abdulkareem, the CEO of Plat Technologies Ltd, and several government officials, including the State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Sadiq Buhari, the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Folashade Omoniyi, the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, the Executive Chairman of State Geographic Information System (Kw-GIS), Abdulmutalib Shittu, the GMD of Harmony Holdings, Abdulmajeed Abdullahi, and Abdulquowiyu Olododo, the Acting GM of state Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP).

READ ALSO: Buhari Commissions National Tier IV Data Centre in Kano

In her keynote address, Justina Oha praised the state government for going digital and commended Temi Kolawole for his leadership of the Ilorin Innovation Hub. She emphasized that e-solutions are becoming a crucial part of processes globally and expressed the UK’s interest in collaborating with Nigeria and Kwara State in particular to develop a robust tech ecosystem.

Kolawole, the head of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, expressed that the program was organized to address key issues in government and revolutionize the way government operates in Nigeria. He stated that the government can become more efficient through the adoption of technology and digital transformation. He added that the contestants were grouped into 50 teams, each focusing on a specific area of government business and tackling identifiable problems. Most of the contestants were locals, selected to encourage and support local talent in the digital space.

The contestants worked on various projects, including letter and memo tracking systems, data capturing systems, and medical record systems for hospitals. Temi explained that digitizing medical records can save precious time in emergency situations and make accessing patient records much more efficient.

Another project the contestants worked on was election monitoring systems, where they aimed to track and keep accountability of election results by comparing results from different sources.

Kolawole also spoke about a new project already in place, the garment factory online platform, a firm newly established by the Kwara State government. He explained that the platform enables people to order wholesale goods from anywhere in the world. Abdulmutalib Shittu, one of the judges at the competition, stated that they expected contestants to create innovative ideas that would improve government operations and enhance the delivery of services to citizens.

At the end of the competition, some of the ICT talents were rewarded with monetary prizes. The event was a huge success, attracting thousands of visitors and providing a platform for young people to showcase their skills and innovation. The organizers are already planning the next edition of the competition, promising even more exciting events and opportunities for the participants.

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TECHDIGEST – In its continuous approach to create fair and inclusive societies that provide equal opportunities through various programmes, projects, and policies, the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), organised ICT Stakeholders’ Engagement programme in Ilorin, Kwara State, in order to give stakeholders an opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the Agency’s implementation of its mandate.

The Participants, including ICT experts, Government Representatives, Academia, Startup ecosystems, ICT Associations, Technology Solution Providers, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and relevant stakeholders in the Digital Economy Sector shared ideas on how Kwara IT ecosystem should take advantage of the various opportunity and platforms being provided by NITDA to upskill, connect and build a robust network that will facilitate gainful collaboration among all stakeholders

Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Director, Zonal Offices Directorate, Mr Babajide Ajayi, said that the Stakeholders’ Engagement is a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience, and expertise, and to co-create solutions, articulate strategies, and extend our services to all stakeholders, especially at the grassroots.

He said, “Throughout the twenty-one-year journey of the Agency, we have had to look continuously at our mandate, reset our vision, and invigorate our mission. We have moved from being a highly centralised organisation to a functionally decentralised Institution. Our aspiration is to be an Organisation closer to the stakeholders.”

READ ALSO: Osinbajo Unveils African’s First Humanoid Robot 

We are also increasingly becoming a process-driven, data-dependent, and results-oriented Organisation. Our strategies and choices are pursued while always ensuring financial prudence – even in the most turbulent times and ensuring that we meet the objectives of a national IT Governance, foremost of which is delivering value to our stakeholders. 

“These are in tandem with our core values of People First, Innovativeness, and Professionalism. Indeed, that is why we are here today. Our stakeholders come first, and we must strive to deliver value to you. That would not be possible without listening to you and speaking with you to get clarity on your perspectives, aspirations, and needs, he added.

Speaking on the Agency’s people-oriented programmes, Inuwa said, “under the supervision of Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and stakeholders, we have implemented programmes such as National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), National Adopted School for Smart Education (NASSE), Digital Literacy Capacity Training for Persons Living with Disabilities, support for ICT Innovation Hubs, building of Community IT Centres, development State IT policies, and a host of other activities.”

He said as the needs of the Digital Economy Ecosystem grow; the Agency has striven to respond appropriately. This has been demonstrated in the strategic actions the Agency has taken in the implementation of critical areas of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

“We are aware that we still have a lot to do. Therefore, we are committed to making further progress over the coming year, and we look forward to the continued support of all our stakeholders,” he concluded.

On his part, the Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Honourable Ibrahim Ajake, stated that the role of Digital Platform in entrepreneurship evolution cannot be overemphasised

He added that digitalisation changes the economics of doing business across border, bringing down the cost of international interaction and transaction. According to him, updated digital entrepreneurship knowledge and dynamics is one of the major ways Nigerian entrepreneurs can upscale their potentials in the global market.

“Digital evolution creates markets and user communities with global scale, providing business with huge base of potential customers and effective ways to reach them.”

“I am confident that the stakeholder’s engagement meeting will be of immense value to the ICT inclined public and keep abreast with necessary opportunity to enhance market access in order to tap into the foreign exchange earnings,” he noted.

He therefore urged participants to interact with experienced resource personnel and contemporaries to be equipped with various knowledge needed for optimal output.

“My sincere gratitude goes to NITDA and all the stakeholders for organising this event, and I assure you that all deliberations and contributions at this programme will serve as strength to us in the Ministry.

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TECHDIGEST – In its continuous drive towards fostering national development through efficient Information Technology (IT) governance in Nigeria, coupled with the growing need of the Digital Economy Ecosystem, the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with Office of Digital Economy and e–Governance, Imo State Government has organised ICT Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Owerri, Imo State.

The engagement amongst other objectives is to establish sustainable collaborations and consistent channels for feedback and the exchange of ideas as well as share with stakeholders NITDA’s vision, regulatory instruments for national development, and the journey so far.

Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE in his opening speech challenged participants to use the meeting as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience, expertise, and co-create solutions, articulate strategies, and extend NITDA’s services to all stakeholders, especially at the grassroots.

Inuwa who was represented by the Director, Zonal Offices Directorate, Mr Babajide Ajayi noted that strategic actions are being taken in the implementation of critical areas of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

NDEPS, the DG explained is a strategic document approved by the Federal Executive Council which focuses on eight pillars that are critical to the development of the Digital Economy.

He further enumerated the pillars to include; Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy and Skills, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Digital Services Development and Promotion, Digital Society and Emerging Technologies, Soft Infrastructure, and Indigenous Content Development and Adoption. 

“Throughout the twenty-one-year journey, we have had to look continuously at our mandate, reset our vision, and invigorate our mission. We have moved from being a highly centralised organisation to a functionally decentralised Institution.

“Our aspiration is to be an organisation closer to stakeholders. We are also increasingly becoming a process-driven, data-dependent, and results-oriented organisation”, Inuwa stressed.

READ ALSO: Data Governance will Ensure Maximum Value Derivation from Digital Economy – NITDA Boss

He further said, “the Agency’s strategies and choices are pursued while always ensuring financial prudence – even in the most turbulent times and ensuring that we meet the objectives of a national IT Governance, foremost of which is delivering value to our stakeholders”. 

While emphasising the fact that the stakeholders come first, Inuwa assured everyone that NITDA’s goal is to deliver value to them which underscores the importance of the engagement to get clarity on their perspectives, aspirations, and needs.

“Some of the people-oriented programmes we have implemented in consultation with stakeholders and under the supervision of our parent Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, include the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), the National Adopted School for Smart Education (NASSE), Digital Literacy Capacity Training for Persons Living with Disabilities, support for ICT Innovation Hubs, building of Community IT Centres, development of State IT policies, and a host of other activities”.

“However, there is always the need to re-strategise in the face of new challenges and opportunities that the Digital Economy ecosystem affords. Therefore, the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP), 2021-2024, has been conceived to provide direction for the Organisation and a sound platform for mitigating the foreseen and unforeseen threats to the Digital Economy ecosystem”, the DG maintained.

The NITDA Boss was hopeful that the event and indeed the entire Stakeholders’ engagement programme across the country will provide fresh understanding and ideas on how NITDA can deliver more impactful values to Nigerians.

In his Keynote address, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodima, represented by the Hon Commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi commended NITDA for organising the meeting.

He assured that the State government must further strengthen the foundation of digital infrastructure to broaden access to new opportunities, building an innovation ecosystem, enhancing workforce quality, and instituting social protection frameworks.

The programme with theme “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution” was attended by 81 stakeholders drawn from 3 states in the Southeast.

Participants ranged from ICT experts, government representatives, academia, startup ecosystems, ICT associations, technology solution providers, Non–Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and relevant stakeholders in the Digital Economy Sector.

The event featured presentations by NITDA officials, keynote addresses, interactive sessions and several goodwill messages from participants.

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TECHDIGEST – Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated the Agency’s commitment to train and re-train Nigeria Police Force officers through collaboration in order to have a digitally literate workforce.

Mr. Babajide Ajayi, Director, Zonal Office Directorate, represented Inuwa at the opening ceremony of a five-day capacity-building programme for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Gombe State Command, Gombe State.

He stated that the Nigeria Police Force is one of the most important security arms of government that requires the Agency’s collaboration to achieve a collective mandate for the country’s growth and development.

Inuwa noted that emerging technologies are changing the way businesses operate around the world, making them more digital and competitive, paving the way for the fourth industrial revolution.

He described the changes as unavoidable and stated that they have transformed several government sectors, including security formation, to adapt the use of Information Technology (IT) and network infrastructure in its operations and correspondences, making work faster and saving the government money.

Inuwa explained NITDA’s role in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a digital country, stating that the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021—2024), which has seven pillars, was crafted in accordance with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s current aspirations, and each pillar has a defining goal to be achieved by the year 2024.

The pillars, according to Inuwa, are Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Indigenous Content Promotion; Digital Transformation; Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.

Inuwa stated that “the training and re-training of the Nigeria Police Force personnel is a priority of NITDA, and we will be delighted and elated to partner with the Force as they advance into having a digitally literate workforce that can use the computer for promotion and examination.”

Inuwa praised the Nigeria Police Force for their unwavering efforts to protect lives and property, provide security advice, and combat criminal activity across the country in order to improve citizens’ lives.

The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, Ishola Babaita, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kabir Abdu, stated during his remarks that the program is a good initiative by NITDA that will help in promotional examinations of officers, thus changing the Force operations.

He urged participants to be focused by putting everything they learned from the training into practice, which will change the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

He praised NITDA for its various interventions, programs, and projects across the country, stating that they are yielding positive results and that such a high tempo should be maintained in order to deepen information technology across the country.

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