TECHDIGEST – The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, reassured stakeholders that the agency’s regulations are not intended to stifle innovation but rather to foster growth and development in the digital space.

Inuwa made this remark during a Panel Discussion at the Business Day CEO Forum 2023 on ‘Charting a Course to Growth and Development’ which took place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The DG said that, NITDA’s regulations are designed to promote innovation by creating a level playing field for all players in the digital ecosystem, adding that the agency is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that the regulations are implemented in a way that does not stifle innovation.

He said, NITDA as a regulator, is aware of the environment, technologies, and innovations by being intelligent in the way it regulates not stifle innovation, but rather to create a market for businesses to grow.

Inuwa acknowledged that while regulation is necessary, it should not impede the progress of innovation and hinder the growth of Startups and technology-driven businesses, as they strive to strike a delicate balance between enabling innovation and safeguarding the interests of consumers, investors, and the general public.

READ ALSO: MSMEs Will Contribute $53b To Nigeria’s Economy If Digitised — NITDA Boss

He noted that NITDA’s framework takes into account both rule-based and non-rule-based regulations, which according to him, the latter approach is favoured by the government, as it allows for collaboration with industry stakeholders to develop the sector and formulate recommendations for compliance.

He opined that there is need for flexibility in regulations, acknowledging that policies may need to be withdrawn and substituted if they are not effective in supporting the ecosystem.

“At NITDA, any intervention is designed to influence business, social and market behaviour, and we have four objectives for any regulatory instrument we are issuing” Firstly, it must create a market or domesticate access to products and services; Secondly, it must protect consumers; thirdly, it must enable innovation; and fourthly how it can improve service delivery.

“The Agency has in place diverse regulations and Policies like the Blockchain Policy, Artificial Intelligence Policy and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), though NDPR has evolved into a full law and now a Commission was established and is in charge of data regulation, which our regulatory role gave birth to,” he said.
While quoting the Korn Ferry report, the DG said by 2030, there will be a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people, or roughly equivalent to the population resulting in 8.5 trillion USD unrealised annual revenues.

“As we are moving towards digitisation, talent and knowledge-based economy, a company is as good as its next product and the next product is as good as the people who make it. We need to learn how to attract, retain and harness talent. Talent is the human component and a huge market for the advancement of the country.

The DG added that Nigeria with her young population, can seize the opportunity and position herself to become the global talent factory because she has proven that in sports, music and film industry.

Inuwa said the same can be done in technology and data, particularly cybersecurity, because cybercrime is the biggest venture in the world today according to Cybersecurity Ventures Magazine, which reported that cybercrime will cost the world about 8.1 trillion USD, which is bigger than all crimes combined. “So, as you digitise, cybersecurity is pivotal, you need to look into your cyber hygiene, build confidence and trust for your users” he added.

The DG stated that NITDA is working towards establishing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) which is aimed at helping to build trust and confidence for all its digital services, bringing about growth and development thus attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

The event was honoured with the presence of the Chairman of the African Development Bank (ADB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Jigawa State, Alh. Umar Namadi, CEO of MTN Group, Mr Ralph Mupika, Chairman, Shell Companies Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor and many other dignitaries.

The post NITDA’s Regulations Foster Growth, Promote Innovation – Kashifu Tell Stakeholders appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to kick-off the construction of the Edo Tech Park (ETP), a mini-city for software engineers and developers.

The park is being developed in Benin by Decagon, one of Africa’s leading engineering companies, in partnership with the Edo State Government’s employment initiative – EdoJobs.

With its promise of convenience, serenity, and collaboration, the park will boost business activities in the state, while also providing the perfect environment for tech talent productivity and technological innovation.

It is designed to be an exciting live, work, and play project with a first phase that spans over 20,000 square metres.

The park will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure including high-speed internet via fibre-optic connectivity provided by MainOne in collaboration with Facebook, with co-working spaces, good road connections, uninterrupted electricity, and a great support system for techies.

Osinbajo noted that “What Decagon and the state are doing also is 100 percent aligned with our vision to create more opportunities for Nigerian youths.

“It complements the work we are doing with African Development Bank in setting up the i-DICE fund to invest in Digital and Creative Enterprises.”

Similarly, Obaseki noted that the park will improve foreign exchange inflow, help the Naira, and also solve the problem of youth unemployment.

“This would also lead to more startups springing up, which will create exponential effects in terms of job creation in Edo State,” the governor said.

It will also be a major catalyst for accelerating the inflow of strategic local and foreign investments.

While speaking, the founder of Decagon, Chika Nwobi said, “In the next five years, the park will host 15,000 software engineers, mostly graduates of Decagon’s acclaimed software engineering and leadership training program who we retain to work for companies in the USA and Europe from Benin City.”

Decagon has trained and graduated over 550 software engineers now working for international companies like Indeed (Austin, Texas), Tribl (Atlanta) and Return Queen (New York), as well as Nigerian companies like Sterling, Carbon, Kobo360, RenMoney, MaxNG, and many others.

The post Osinbajo Flags off Edo Tech Park for Software Engineers, Developers appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECH DIGEST – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) has named Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State as the Chairman of the party’s e-registration committee.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the party’s NEC emergency meeting held on Thursday at its national secretariat in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said that the NEC, at the meeting, received reports on the e-registration of members as the NWC announced the membership of the committee set up to conduct the exercise.

He said that while Obaseki would chair the committee, his Adamawa State counterpart, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, was appointed to serve as deputy chairman.

“The statutory members of the committee are the national organising secretary, national treasurer, national financial secretary, deputy national secretary and the national publicity secretary.

“Further nominations will be taken from the board of trustees, the national assembly, forum of state chairmen as well as the youth and women demography of our party,” he said.

Ologbondiyan said that the committee would recommend to the party when the e-registration exercise would commence.

He said that the NEC decried the heightened insecurity in all parts of the nation and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately declare a national state of emergency on security.

“NEC also urged President Buhari to, without delay, convoke a national conference on security so as to galvanise ideas and options to tackle insecurity in our country.”

Ologbondiyan said that the NEC commended the efforts of governors, senators, house of representatives members and other officials elected on the platform of the PDP in forcefully seeking solutions to the spate of insecurity in the country.

With regard to the programmes of the party, Ologbondiyan said that the NEC expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the NWC in preparation for the Nov. 6 Governorship election in Anambra state

He said that the NWC asserted its readiness to do everything possible, within the confines of the law, to win the election.

“NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus as well as the members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“NEC further cautioned party members at all levels to be wary of agents of distractions and division while praising the effort of the NWC for being focused and purpose-driven in piloting the affairs of the party. “

Ologbondiyan, fielding questions on the screening of the party’s aspirants for the Anambra governorship election, said that the Screening Committee, led by former Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, cleared all the 16 aspirants for primaries. (NAN)

The post Obaseki Chairs PDP e-registration Committee appeared first on Tech Digest News.