TECHDIGEST- The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mal. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has urged Nigerian Tertiary institutions to produce quality graduates with requisite entrepreneurship skills in the field of Information Communication Technology to develop sophisticated tech product and services.

The NITDA Boss stated this at the 3rd day of the ongoing Digital Nigeria Conference in Abuja.

READALSO: Global Blockchain Market to Hit $39bn by 2025 – Kashifu Inuwa

Kashifu Inuwa said: “Today, we want to know how we can build our entrepreneurship capacity. The prosperity is not evenly distributed, so we need to engage more Nigerians in digital revolution.

“For instance, Lagos is contributing 1 quarter of Nigeria’s GDP and contributes to over 90% of tech ecosystems, so why can’t we build these percentages across every city.

“As much as we push forward partnering with local and international partners to train Nigerians in high digital skills, we hope our higher institutions will continue to produce the best knowledge because we need people to have digital technology knowledge to consume digital services”.

Founder Clintonel Innovation Center, Tochukwu Chukwueke, stressed the need for Nigeria to increase the number of its tech talents, to boost start-up innovation in the country.

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TECHDIGEST- The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has presented ‘Long Service Award’ to 17 of its dedicated staff.

Those honoured are those who have worked at NITDA for between 10 to 20 years.

Director General of the Agency, Mall. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, presented award plaques to the recipients at the #DigitalNigeria2022 Dinner & Awards Night’.

READ ALSO: Global Blockchain Market to Hit $39bn by 2025 – Kashifu Inuwa

Inuwa Abdullahi, said the awardees were recognized for their contributions to the development of Nigeria’s Digital Economy sector.

The recipients include:

1. Mr Umar E. Ibrahim
2. Mr Olalekan Olatunji
3. Mrs Eunice A. Fasiku
4. Mr Godwin Akwaji
5. Mrs Sheila Ilogbaka
6. Mr Yusuf B. Akinde
7. Mr Lamid Lukman
8. Mrs Nsidibe Charles
9. Mr Ojo Victor Olugbenga
10. Mr Abubakar Ismail
11. Mr Tommy I. Marvin
12. Mrs Doris Atanegbe
13. Mrs Hassan Eleka Zanau
14. Mr Godson Odumo
15. Mrs Uwaya Loveth
16. Mr Hosea Micah
17. Mr Lazarus Bala

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TECHDIGEST– The founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Paxful, Ray Youssef, has revealed how Nigerian youths enlightened him and many people around the world about the benefits of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency.

He was speaking at the ‘Digital Nigeria Day Conference and Exhibition’, taking place at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja.

READALSO: NITDA, Blockchain & FutureTech
By Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

In his presentation, titled: “Blockchain for Youth’s Empowerment in Nigeria,” Youssef, explained that both bitcoin and blockchain answer one important question, and that is: What is Money?

He said: “Bitcoin and Crypto-currencies are big movements. They are money businesses which Nigeria youths have passion for.

“No country has shown me how beautiful bitcoin could be until I saw the power Nigerian youths put on it.

“Bitcoins and crypto-currencies have made big changes to so many youths in Nigeria. They are more than just an investment asset. They are proof of the power of Nigerian youths.

“With bitcoin, any Nigerian government has the power to bring a great work force to the country, and be the diaspora to other countries in and out of Africa”.

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TECHDIGEST- A cross section of international tech experts have commended the efforts of the Nigerian government in driving digital innovation, in the last few years.

They however, advocated for the use of blockchain technology to sustain the growth of the country’s digital economy sub-sector.

The experts spoke on, “Blockchain Innovation,” at the ongoing Digital Nigeria Day 2022 Conference and Exhibition, in Abuja.

READALSO: NITDA, Blockchain & FutureTech
By Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

According to Ray Sharma, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration deserves resounding commendation for the digital revolution taking place in the country.

“But the Nigerian Government, again, must make the right decision to indulge in blockchain technology, so as to attract more investments for the country,” he noted, while speaking on, “The Importance of Blockchain for Digital Transformation”.

Sharma, the General Partner of Pacer Ventures, defined blockchain as a necessary piece of digital infrastructure, saying that the core blockchain environment is thriving in Africa.

“And its adoption in Nigeria will give the country an edge in the technological advancement taking place in Africa,” he said.

The Lead of BSV Blockchain for Government Initiative Middle East, Ahmed Yousif, noted that the full deployment of blockchain in Nigeria will help to secure relevant data for all internet devices, especially the ones vulnerable to hacking.

He pleaded with the federal government to provide digital tools to young and smart Nigerians that are ready to harness the opportunities in blockchain and other tech system applications.

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TECHDIGEST– Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said over 863,372 citizens have benefited from various digital skills programmes organized by the Federal Government, in the last one year.

The programmes were majorly those launched by their Communications and Digital Economy Ministry, Pantami added.

READALSO: With Digital Economy, Nigeria Now Saves N10bn Quarterly – Minister

He disclosed this at the #DigitalNigeriaDay 2022 event in Abuja, where he said that, “We also have agreements with leading global tech companies like Microsoft and Huawei, to train millions of Nigerians on various ICT skills”.

According to Prof. Pantami, boosting citizens’ digital literacy skills is paramount as citizens are the greatest assets for any kind of economy, including digital economy.

“We are championing a paradigm shift that lays emphasis on ICT skills, in preference to merely having a degree or any kind of academic certificate,” he said.

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TECHDIGEST- The Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC, has acknowledged the steady growth of Nigeria’s Digital Economy sector.

Bilal Al-Rais, Vice President, Technology and Digital Cluster of DWTC, made this known at the #DigitalNigeriaDay 2022 Conference and Exhibition, taking place in Abuja.

According to Al-Rais, Nigeria’s digital economy sub-sector has grown rapidly under the leadership of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

READ-ALSO:  With Digital Economy, Nigeria Now Saves N10bn Quarterly – Minister

“And it is still growing,” said the DWTC Vice President.

Further speaking at a panel session on, “A part to Develop a Digital Innovation Ecosystem,” Al-Rais, commended Pantami for the good work and brilliant initiatives he designed for transforming digital economy in the country.

“While we pledge our support to the Nigerian Government, we wish to posit that the Start-up Bill, recently assented by President Muhammadu Buhari, is one that will boost ICT development and technological growth in Nigeria,” he said.

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TECH DIGEST- Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said their Ministry, alone, made over N408 billion remittances to the Federal Government, in the last three years.

He disclosed this at the ongoing Digital Nigeria Day 2022, holding at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja.

READALSO: Pantami’s Book on ‘Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Economy’ Unveiled

According to Pantami, their Communications and Digital Economy Ministry, has also 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”.

While speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Block Chain for All, Jimmy Nguyen, described the adoption of Blockchain technology in Nigeria as a blessing.

According to him, Blockchain technology in Africa’s largest economy has boosted financial inclusion, while also nurturing the growth of small businesses digitally.

Highlighting the importance of Blockchain to the development of the Information Communication Technology, ICT, sector in Nigeria, he admonished start-ups in the country to harness the beneficial technologies inherent in Blockchain as a digital invention.

Nguyen said: “The power of Blockchain technology is data and there are countless opportunities Nigerian ICT firms and start-ups can harness in using Blockchain”.

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TECHDIGEST– Nigeria is now able to save not less than N10 billion quarterly from the revenue it is making from its Digital Economy sector.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, made the above assertion, at the ongoing Digital Nigeria Day 2022.

READALSO: Pantami’s Book on ‘Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Economy’ Unveiled

Speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, Pantami, maintained that the Information Communication Technology, ICT, sector presently remains the highest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, especially in recent years.

“It is one sector that has been growing by double digits, since we came on board in 2019,” he said.

The Minister, who expressed satisfaction that their eight Digital Economy pillars are gradually being implemented by the Federal Government, also said that 17 of their 19 regulatory policies around ICT Development and Digital Economy agenda, are also being implemented to the later.

Prof. Pantami, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to their Start-Ups Bill, noting that the Bill which is now an Act, will boost the growth and development of creative tech start-ups in the country.

In a remark, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, the Director General of Galaxy Backbone Nigeria, thanked Pantami for championing the vision that is revolutionizing Nigeria’s Digital Economy sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Sen. Yakubu Husseini, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to evolve more ICT programs that will boost digital literacy and inclusion, in the country.

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TECH DIGEST- A book authored by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has been unveiled.

The book, titled: “Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami: Advancing Nigeria’s Drive Towards a Digital Economy,” was today launched at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja.

Readalso: Interpol Sets Up its Own Global Police Metaverse

It was at the opening ceremony of Digital Nigeria Day 2022.

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TECH DIGEST – As at March 2021, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has successfully saved over N22.4 billion naira to the federal coffers by executing its mandate to support the anti-corruption drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, says the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami).

Speaking today, Thursday, 3rd June 2021, under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress Professional Forum, the Minister addressed Nigerians giving account of his stewardship in office so far.

Pantami in a detailed discourse, gave account of the strategies deployed by the sector under his supervision to support the three point agenda of Security, Anti-Corruption and Economic development of President Muhammad Buhari.

These, the Minister said, include the development and implementation of over a dozen policies to enable the digitalisation of Nigeria in line with global best practices.

According to the Minister’s spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, he have the outstanding accounts at the Party’s headquarters in Abuja.

Pantami disclosed that the sector as at “March 2021 has successfully saved over 22.4 billion naira to the federal coffers by executing its mandate to support the Anti-corruption drive of the President Muhammad Buhari administration through the implementation of the Information Technology (IT) Projects clearance policy. Under this policy, over 727 Institutions have complied with over 323 projects cleared in accordance with the laid down guidelines”.

He cited the Policy on virtual engagements for public institutions as an impetus to fighting corruption and reducing the cost of governance while also promoting e-governance.

In the area of Economic Development, the Minister disclosed that enabling policies enacted in the sector to support the digitalisation of the economy have empowered it to provide and enhance digital capacities among the citizenry.

Dr Pantami noted that the National Policy on Entrepreneurship and Start-ups and the Digital Literacy and skills pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, has given impetus to the acquisition of digital skills and job creation drive of the sector.

“Under the DigitalNigeria portal, over 210,000 citizens including women, youths and the physically challenged have been equipped with various digital skills for economic empowerment. These trainings are implemented in collaboration with technology giants like Microsoft, Huawei, Cisco etc., and the certificates are globally recognised and respected”.

“The establishment of a world class e-government centre in line with the e-government Master Plan also ensures that the digital training needs of the Nigerian labour force are met”, he said.

The Minister also noted that the sector has established over 300 ICT Centres, fully funded by the Federal Government across all states in the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In the area of security, the Minister noted that although it is not a direct mandate of his Ministry, it is a priority of government and therefore, sectoral policies to aid security agencies in the discharge of their duties have been developed and implemented.

He cited the National Policy on SIM registration and the revised Policy on NIN/SIM linkage as a huge boost to the nation’s security as “it is no longer business as usual for criminal elements who hitherto used stolen identities to perpetrate crime unhindered”

Recall that according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the Digital Economy Sector in its reports from the Q2 of 2020 till date, under the supervision of Dr Pantami, has retained the unprecedented position of the fastest growing sector in the nation’s economy with a whooping 14.70% growth rate.

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