TECHDIGEST – PRNigeria’s Head of Fact-Checking and Special Investigations, Dahiru Lawal Mohammed has bagged the Professor Ali Pantami Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Digital Economy in Information and Media Studies, while another graduate, Muhammad Salisu Danmande bagged Professor Muhammad Bashir Ali prize for best graduating student in Public Relations in Mass Communication.

The awards were conferred on them at the Grand Finale of the 37th Convocation of Bayero University Kano for the 2019/2020 academic session.

Other Awardees are Professor Balarabe Maikaba Prize for best graduating student in mass media research won by Fatima Idris; Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Prize for the best graduating student in Broadcasting in Mass Communication won by Yakubu bn Adam.

READ ALSO: Two Nigerian Startups Win $300,000 At LEAP’s Competition in Riyadh

Other included Professor Musa Muhammad Borodo Prize for the best graduating student in MBBS won by Aminu Salisu Haruna; L&Z integrated farmers prize for the best graduating student in Animal Science won by Hauwa Yusuf Ibrahim and BUK Sassakawa African Fund Prize in Agricultural Extension won by Idris Yakubu Ya’u.

Similarly, Engr Ibrahim Khalil Inuwa Prize for the best graduating student in medical engineering is won by Jamilu Danjuma; Intergraph Consultants Prize for the best graduating student in Architecture won by Abdulrahman Isa among other prize winners of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic session.

Reacting, Mr Dahiru appreciated his lecturers for their mentorship and supports and vowed to continue breaking new grounds in Digital Media Economy.

Meanwhile, the convocation also witnessed the investiture of the 4th Chancellor of the University, His Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin who was conferred with an Award of of Doctor of Law Honoris Kausa.

While speaking, the Oba commended the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas for his untiring effort in sustaining BUK as one of the top universities in Nigeria.

Oba Ewuare 11 proposed the establishment of the council of university chancellors to interface with the Federal Government in order to promote industrial harmony and prevent incessant strikes.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas congratulated all graduates and prize winners, urging them to represent the university well in making positive difference in their respective communities.

Prof Abbas has established world class digital TV and radio broadcasting station among other achievements.

He also announced that the university would soon acquire broadband infrastructure for unlimited internet connectivity on the campuses.

At the 36th/37th combined convocation, 16,581 bachelor’s degrees from 16 faculties were awarded while 8,771 higher degrees and Post Graduate Diplomas were also awarded to graduates.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST- The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who is leading the country’s delegation to the LEAP Technology Conference and Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has urged the world’s economies, especially those in the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), to embrace collaborative efforts and initiatives in order to attain digitalization. Professor Pantami made this statement during a high-level DCO panel discussion called “Deep Dive: The Road To International Digital Economy Through Innovation-Bridging Digital Divides And Breaking Down Barriers.”

READALSO:Nigeria, Niger Republic sign agreement on border frequency coordination

“In my opinion, the way other countries can benefit from the progress we have made so far, is through collaborations and partnerships. There is no monopoly of wisdom and knowledge, your strength could be the weakness of your neighbour and your weakness could be the strength of your neighbour. Through partnerships and collaborations, we can complement each other. DCO has been established in order to support, collaborate and partner with each other because our strength is in our unity. When members of the DCO agree to take a certain position, there is no institution in the world that will not listen to them”. Pantami stated.

He further emphasised that “developing a digital economy is hinged on two factors; digital innovation and entrepreneurship”.

Pantami, in response to a question from the DCO Secretary General, Deema Yahya, who was moderating a session on Nigeria’s digital success story, stated that digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and supportive policies have driven the growth of the fastest-growing sector in Nigeria’s economy. The Nigerian government has implemented 21 national policies to encourage development in the sector and has established a National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. They have also made substantial investments in digital skills development, promoting a focus on skills over unproven certificates. Professor Pantami discussed the positive impact of the sector, including an increase in revenue, a consistent rise in the country’s GDP (currently at 18.44%), a drastic increase in the national database from 39 million for 13 years to 95 million in just 2 years and 3 months, the establishment of ICT intervention centers, and digital skills acquisition. A recent evaluation of the sector by KPMG and DCFO showed exceptional results.

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TECHDIGEST – Policy makers and stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem in the West African sub-region will converge in Abuja from January 31st to 1st February for the Digital Economy Regional Conference to discuss the future of digital economy and intensify regional public private partnerships for the region.

The event is being hosted by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who will deliver the keynote address at the event will be joined by his Federal Capital Territory (FCT) counterpart, Mohammed Bello, to welcome Ministers and top government officials from the subregion.

READ ALSO : Nigeria is Best Global IT Talent Factory – Kashifu Tells Tech Visionaries in Germany

The Conference, with the theme “Positioning West Africa’s Digital Economy for the Future”, will provide a platform for countries in the region to discuss issues that will strengthen the digital economies in West Africa and by extension the continent.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy said the conference will also create an avenue for peer review to accelerate digital transformation and increase collaboration to secure partnerships within the region to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem while intensifying regional public-private partnerships for digital economy funding, research, and development.

It is expected that the gathering will also provide an opportunity to showcase the progress made in the development of digital economy in the West African sub-region, identify winning strategies, discuss challenges, and prepare for the future in addition to creating awareness of the region’s needs in the areas of policies and framework for the digital economy and attracting private sponsors for digital transformation in the region.

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TECHDIGEST – Tax from firms in the information and communication sector rose by 158.51 per cent from N51.05bn in the third quarter of 2021 to N131.97bn in the corresponding period in 2022, Company Income Tax, CIT, data from the National Bureau of Statistics have shown.

The ICT sector was one of the highest contributors to CIT in nine months of 2022, having paid N317.05bn during this period.

The government raked in N810.19bn as CIT in Q3 2021, 13.41 per cent higher than N714.40bn in the previous quarter.

The NBS report stated, “In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in Q3 2022 were manufacturing with 28.76 per cent; information and communication with 27.31 per cent; and financial and insurance with 8.81 per cent.”

READ ALSO : Buhari Appoints Tukur Mohammed Funtua As New MD NIGCOMSAT

In 2021, the Federal Inland Revenue Service revealed that MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited were two of its top-performing taxpayers.

In a statement signed by MTN’s company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, “In 2021, MTN Nigeria’s total tax contribution to all government agencies including the FIRS amounted to N757.6bn while FIRS collected a total of N6.4trn tax revenue in the year.

“Specifically, MTN Nigeria paid a total of N618.7bn in direct and indirect taxes to the FIRS in the 2021 tax year, representing approximately 13.5 per cent of the total FIRS collection for the year.”

According to industry experts, the telecoms sector is one of the most taxed sectors in the economy.

A report titled ‘Taxing Nigeria’s subnational economies to oblivion’ by SBM Intelligence recently revealed that the industry suffered from over-taxation because of its sustained growth in the last 20 years.

It said, “At the federal level, telecommunications companies are expected to pay taxes such as Companies Income Tax, the Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Taxes, Stamp Duty, National Industrial Training Fund, Employees Compensation Scheme, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, National Housing Fund contributions, Contributory Pension Schemes, and customs duties.

“These taxes are applicable to all incorporated companies in Nigeria. There are also sector-specific taxes and levies such as the Annual Operating Levy paid to the Nigerian Communications Commission by all holders of licences issued by the regulator, the National Cybersecurity Fund, the National Information Technology Development Fund Levy and Right of Way charges.”

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, stated that telecom firms pay about 41 taxes across both federal and state levels.

He said, “The ICT sector is being overburdened with so many categories of tax. If care is not taken, this is going to jeopardise the achievements and gains we have recorded so far in the sector.”

The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Owners of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, also said, “This is because of the 39 multiple taxes we already paying coupled with the epileptic power situation as we spend so much on diesel.”

Source: Punching.com

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TECHDIGEST
STATEMENT: Strengthening the U.S.-Africa Partnership in Space.

The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit featured the first-ever U.S.-Africa Space Forum.  The Forum reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to collaborating with African partners on the peaceful use and exploration of outer space to meet shared priorities for here on Earth.  The Forum highlighted the U.S.-Africa space partnership and cooperation to address 21st century challenges and opportunities, including responding to the climate, biodiversity, and global food crises; promoting responsible behavior in outer space; and reinforcing U.S.-African scientific and commercial space cooperation.  Participants in the Forum committed to deepening the U.S.-Africa space partnership across all sectors.

The Forum celebrated the signing of the Artemis Accords by Nigeria and Rwanda, making them the first African signatories.  The Artemis Accords are a set of principles to guide the next phase in space exploration, reinforcing and providing for important operational implementation of key obligations in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.  The Accords affirm the importance of implementing best practices and norms of responsible behavior as well as compliance with the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement.

READALSO: PHOTOS: In America, Pantami announces Space X broadband partnership; signs Artemis Accords at US-Africa Leaders’ Forum

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Nigeria, while Francis Ngabo, CEO of Rwanda Space Agency, signed the Accords on behalf of Rwanda.  They were joined on the U.S. side by Assistant Secretary of State Monica Medina, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bill Nelson, and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, Chirag Parikh.  With their signatures, 23 nations have signed the Artemis Accords.

The Forum also discussed the role of the private sector in supporting U.S.-Africa space partnership.  A number of U.S. companies have recently announced new investments in the U.S.-Africa partnership, including:

The Rwanda Space Agency and ATLAS Space Operations have partnered to bring a teleport and large satellite antenna to the global space community.

Planet Labs PBC is investing across Africa with a range of stakeholders to deliver daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions that help meet sustainability, economic, and resource management priorities, including supporting decision making on drought risk protection, forest management, and renewable energy.  Kenyan company ZEP-RE just announced that it will use Planet’s satellite imagery as it works with the World Bank on drought risk protection in the Horn of Africa.

In furtherance of Nigeria’s goal of providing all of its citizens broadband access by 2025, Nigeria announced that SpaceX’s high-speed, low latency broadband service Starlink is now available in the country, making Nigeria the first country in Africa where Starlink is available.

Zipline is drawing upon space data to expand its aerial logistics services to more government sectors in Rwanda, including the health, agriculture, finance, e-commerce and tourism divisions, and will conduct nearly two million instant deliveries across Rwanda by 2029.

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TECHDIGEST- Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), has emerged winner of the distinguished award for digital innovation.

The award was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, a statement by Uwa Suleiman,
Spokesperson to Prof. Pantami, revealed.

It was during the ‘Excellence in Public Service Awards’ held at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.

READ ALSO: GITEX 2022: An Encounter with Digital Economy Maestro

According to Suleiman, the award conferred on the Communications and Digital Economy Minister is another attestation of Prof. Pantami’s game-changing leadership qualities, which he has brought to bear in the nation’s economy.

Buhari had earlier in the week paid glowing commendations to the Minister describing him as “one of the most resourceful, innovative and effective public officials that I have in this administration. His depth of knowledge of complex issues is amazing and remarkable and his loyalty and dedication to duty is worthy of emulation”

The President further noted that “the appointment of Pantami was one of the best choices I have made because he has added tremendous value to good governance”

Recall that since assumption of office in August of 2019, Pantami has made global history with his aggressive initiatives and reforms towards digital transformation.

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TECH DIGEST- Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, have both expressed optimism in Nigeria’s ability to leverage global opportunities in order to advance its digital economy agenda.

Both men affirmed faith in the country’s leadership to continuously use right policies to drive growth and inspire innovations among the country’s huge population of young people.

READ ALSO: Iguda: Meet 17-Year-Old Kano Artificial Intelligence Prodigy

The two leaders had an engaging interaction inside the Nigeria Country Pavilion during the just ended GITEX GLOBAL where Lagos made its debut with one of the most visited booths inside the pavilion.

The federal government has crafted policies to close the digital divide in the country, all of which are yielding positive results and could be measured in the contribution of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022, said Pantami who is also Chairman of the World Summit on the Information Society 2022.

Dr. Hamzat, who led a high powered Lagos presence to GITEX GLOBAL, said the state was working hard to remain at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation and look to further working with the federal government to achieve this.

In the Deputy Governor’s delegation were Lagos State  Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Hakeem Fahm; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology; Engr (Mrs) Ibilola Olufolake Kasunmu; and the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Innovation and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake.

The 42nd edition of GITEX GLOBAL now the world’s largest tech and startup show, was the equivalent of 33 football fields, 26 halls and 2 million sq. ft to give accommodate more than 5,000 companies and over 200, 000 attendees from 170 countries.

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By Ahmadu Dansardauna

TECHDIGEST – There is no doubt that many aspects of development by individuals and nations have been fired and propelled by vision which is regarded as an indispensable ingredient and catalyst in the dynamics of human existence. Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi ,Director General of NITDA  is one of the top public officials driving Nigeria’s Digital transformation with  perfection.

Despite his international status as a Nigerian Public servant who has put the country on global map through his visionary and drastic reforms, he was and is still community champion in his Hadejia Community and Jigawa State as a whole.

Abdullahi s has an enduring disposition to the welfare of the needy in the society .This has informed his philanthropic works and contributions over the years and personal sacrifices for the education of the poor and underprivileged in the society as well as  an army of unemployed graduates job opportunities across private and public sectors .No person with need ever leaves his presence without receiving some form of relief .Many Nigerians have  flourishing career or profitable  business and schooling as a result of the Chief Digital Officer of the federation –Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

Three  years ago , President Muhammadu Buhari appointed several  head of parastatals and agencies among which is immediate past Technical Assistant to DG NITDA ,Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as the Director General and CEO of NITDA .

Inuwa was found competent and worthy to drive the Next Level agenda of the PMB administration in the digital sector and was welcomed by stakeholders in the ICT sector as a round peg in a round hole.

When Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi took over as the chief executive of NITDA in August 2019,   he outlined the policy thrust of  his administration and set radical reforms in tone with PMB administration next level  agenda on digital transformation.

He promised to completely transform the agency into a smart organization. According to him, “My vision for NITDA is to completely transform the agency into a smart and make it one of the best in the country through team work and open door policy”.

Born on February 21, 1980, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi is a graduate of Computer Science from the prestigious Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Mr. Abdullahi is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT Sloan – trained strategist with 15 years’ experience in IT operations, business transformation and solution architecture, across both private and public sectors.

He attended Leadership and Management courses at Harvard University in the USA, University of Cambridge in the UK and IMD Business School in Switzerland.

Abdullahi has worked for nine years (2004 – 2013) at Galaxy Backbone and held several positions such as Network Engineer, IP Network Field Engineer, Senior Network & Lead, IP Operations Team, and Senior Solution Architect & Lead, Technical Solution Design.

In 2014, Mr Abdullahi joined Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Technology Architect, where he dedicated his time to developing Technology Architecture Repository that gives 360 view of the Bank’s IT Infrastructure and facilitated ease of decision making on new IT investment. He was part of the team that executed software license rationalization that has increased cost savings for the Bank in license annual subscriptions.

As the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Nigeria’s Public Sector, he is also a Certified Project Manager and Solution Architect. He also has many professional certifications in Networking, Telecommunications, Service Management and Solution Design.

Mr Abdullahi was a key resource in the development of IT standards for the apex bank, which has reduced mean time to deploy/integrate new system by over 20%. One of his major achievements as a Technology architect was the production of seven solution architectures for critical IT initiatives that helped in achieving cashless society in Nigeria.

He joined NITDA in 2017 as Technical Assistant to the Director General/CEO. Being the IT regulatory body in Nigeria mandated to implement National ICT policy, he managed execution of strategy which has increased ICT contribution to Nigerian GDP by over 13% in Q2 2018. He also coordinated a Local Content initiative that has increased ICT local production by over 200% in 2017.Mr Abdullahi is a member of both Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the British Computer Society (BCS).

Since taking over from his predecessor,  Professor Ali Isa Ibrahim (Pantami) as DG NITDA ,Mallam Kashifu Inuwa unveiled  NITDA’s “ Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2014)”, pillars identified by the Agency as the fulcrum for the Roadmap are: 1) Developmental Regulation; 2) Digital Literacy and Skills; 3) Digital Transformation; 4) Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship; 5) Cybersecurity; 6) Emerging Technologies and; 7) Promotion of Indigenous Content.

SRAP has been broken down into strategic initiatives that speak to its goal. The resultant initiatives were further fragmented into activities and an implementation plan which was in turn developed for these initiatives. Also, a result monitoring framework was developed for identified key performance indicators of each of the initiatives. This is indeed water shed in his quest to make digital economy the largest in the continent through the integrated and deliberate implementation of the strategic plan.

The IT regulatory agency set out strategies to digitize government functions and processes and it successfully created over 150 user accounts to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) submit their IT projects through the agency’s IT projects clearance portal, licensed of 94 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs), and of Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture/Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (NGEa-Ne-GIF). Since the coming of the dynamic DG,  NITDA has developed several regulatory frameworks for information technology development, which most of them have been published both on soft copy and hard copy by the Agency.

Affable and polished, DG Inuwa is perhaps the most charismatic of the young CEOs in the country .He operates with an effective style which creates the impression that he is a man who craves for excellence with an acute sense of duty.

He is not intoxicated by his superlative intellectual digital prowess .He has remained a model to the upcoming generation .He is a source of inspiration to many.

When the history of NITDA will be written, the name of the current Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Kashifu   Inuwa Abdullahi will be written in gold. “See the conquering hero comes with sounds of flutes and beats of the drum” .These famous lines of Thomas Morrel rightly apply to Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi –workaholic Director General of NITDA , as he mark 3 years in office with unprecedented result sheet to brandish.

Dansardauna can be reach on startussolutions@gmail.com.

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By Yushau A. Shuaib

TECHDIGEST – I have always admired the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami for his solid intellection and painstaking understanding of his brief in public service, alongside his charismatic and pragmatic efforts in governance. As a pioneer in government, defining the frontiers of a new future for our country, he has a fascinating understanding of his remit, which is as evident in the manner he speaks without the prompting of prepared addresses, as equally in his eloquence with facts and figures.

Beyond an endearing gift of oratory, in less than three years of his tenure, his ministry has grown in leaps and bounds, while facilitating the establishment of newer agencies and departments. This includes the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in 2020; Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) in 2021; the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (NDIEC) in 2021; and the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) this year, 2022.

While he spearheaded the unbundling of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), which now has subsidiaries for property development, transportation and logistics, courier service and a micro-finance bank, the aggressive NIN-SIM verification campaign following the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to his Ministry resulted in the significant capturing of over 85 million Nigerians in the National Identity (NIN) database. As his endeavours have made many aware, the need to document the identity of Nigerians in this age cannot be overemphasised, particularly towards the goals of national planning and accountability, including the greater demands for security.

It is therefore not surprising that during Pantami’s ongoing tenure, the ICT sector has the highest growth rate in Nigeria’s economy, contributing an unprecedented 14.70 per cent to GDP in 2020, and which increased to 16.20 per cent in the first quarter of 2022, as enumerated by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

READ ALSO: Pantami Unveils Books on Datafication and Cybersecurity at Emerging Technologies Forum

Despite his busy and crowded schedules, it was quite surprising to learn that the Minister still found time to nurture his first love as an academic, by authoring two books that were recently unveiled at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, coordinated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in Lagos.

The books, with the first being titled, ‘Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country’ and the second going by the title of ‘Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy,’ both constitute a tour de force of high intellection, which elucidate upon key elements and initiatives on cybersecurity and datafication in the digital age, with Nigeria as the case study.

While the book on datafication brings together a series of lectures delivered by Pantami at various academic fora, including universities and analogous institutions, the book on cybersecurity provides insights on modern strategies in the protection of internet-connected systems – involving hardware, software and data – from cyber threats, particularly in Nigeria.

The 129-page ‘Datafication of Society’ unfolds in nine chapters, traversing a “General Overview on Datafication As a Concept”, “Economic and Security Issues in Using Public and Private Data”, “ICT As a Catalyst for Economic Development”, and the “Funding of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions for Entrepreneurship Education.”

Other chapters comprise erudite expositions on the “Role of the Digital Economy for National Development”, “Population Growth and Human Capital Development”, the “Role of Disruptive Technologies”, and “Data Privacy and Confidentiality.”

In his introduction, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim, who occupies a commanding height on issues pertaining to Nigeria’s digital reality, both as a scholarly mediator and policy-maker, points out that datafication is an emerging technological trend involving the harvesting and transformation of the different aspects of everyday life into digital data. To him, this approach converts a wide range of everyday information into machine-readable and mineable data that can be used to generate deep insights about such information through the patterns it encodes.

In his attempt to ensure a layman understands the concept of datafication, the author offers a simple illustration of how he uses his smartphones to count his daily steps and also the calories that he burns for healthy living, etc.

On its part, the book on cybersecurity, published by the University Press Plc, spans seven chapters that are spread over 95 pages. Some of these sections focus on the “Imperative of Cybersecurity”, the “Internet as an Enabler of Cybersecurity and Cybercrime”, “Leading National Cybersecurity Efforts”, “Policies and Initiatives on Cybersecurity”, “Citizens Data Harmonization for Enhanced National Security”, and “Strengthening the National Identification Number (NIN) and Securing a Country.”

READ ALSO: Pantami Unveils Book On Digital Innovation For Economic Prosperity In Nigeria

In his foreword to the book, the President of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Professor Mike Hinchey describes the ‘Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country,’ as a first-hand personal representation of Pantami’s efforts, challenges and successes in implementing the extremely crucial cybersecurity mandate in Nigeria.

Hinchey, who is a professor of Software Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland, noted that from the practical approaches to establishing a National Identification Number for accessing government services, to restricting the number of mobile telephony SIM cards assigned to an individual, for which Pantami received numerous death threats, to implementing the National Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, the book details a magisterial chronicle that is fascinating and insightful to read.

Hinchey further describes Professor Pantami as a recognised expert in the field of cybersecurity. “In addition to professional practice as a professor, teacher, and public speaker, Pantami has kept his skills and knowledge up to date with courses at some of the best universities in the world,” he points out.

A medley of scholars, including intellectual peers, subject matter experts, Vice Chancellors of reputable universities, and leaders of relevant professional bodies have engaged with and offered their praises for Pantami’s critical book on cybersecurity.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe aptly noted that without making assumptions about the reader, the author presents a concise, definitive and clear introduction of cybersecurity and its enabling technology, the internet, making it an easily comprehensible and engaging reading experience for a wide range of audiences of diverse backgrounds.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabiru Bala said the publication is highly crucial to Nigeria, especially in these difficult times of pervasive security challenges, as it concisely deals with the necessary building blocks for ensuring a digitally secure nation. This, to Bala, has been particularly through the indigenous efforts of public agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other levels of technical support.

In a related vein, Professor Adesina Sodiya, the President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), observed that the book encompasses key strategies that can be adopted to curb cybercrimes, while the models, frameworks and case studies captured in the book are valid and tested, as reflected in the Nigerian situation.

With his knowledge and experience, the author has presented readers with some essentials of cybersecurity and datafication in lucid and comprehensive prose, devoid of technical jargon. The books are designed to assuage the curiosity of readers who are concerned about the threats and opportunities of emerging technology.

Professor Pantami draws from his experience as Nigeria’s Chief Information Technology Officer, as well as Minister of the Digital Economy, using the country, Nigeria as a case study in some instances, while providing sincere insights on how activities on the internet are changing the way humans feel, think, and behave.

In fact, the books document a number of the accomplishments and success stories attained by the administration of President Muhammadu with regard to the building of a sturdy digital economy in Nigeria.

These books are indeed gifts to scholars and professionals, not only in the ICT sector but for those interested in the changing reality brought about by the digital age, in which internet-enabled devices are continuously changing the ways we do things.

The author holds B.Tech and MSc degrees in Computer Science, an MBA in Technology Management, and Doctorate in Computer Information Systems. He is a professor of Cybersecurity.

Professor Pantami also holds various certifications in Digital Strategies and Leadership from reputable global institutions of learning including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Oxford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Institute of Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, among others.

Yushau A. Shuaib, Editor-in-Chief PRNigeria and TechDigest
www.YAShuaib.com yashuaib@yahoo.com

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TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is one government organisation so-much concerned and sincerely worried over rising insecurity, in the country.

It has, and is still doing everything possible to swiftly nip in the bud, emerging security threats, especially in the nation’s cyber cum digital ecosystem.

As the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has been in the forefront of unveiling sound administrative and regulatory policies, driving the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s tech sector, in particular.

One them is the ‘Code of Practice’ for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria.

READ ALSO:NITDA’s ‘Code of Practice for Online Platforms’ and National Security

The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok, among others.

Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area, also, were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups, in the process of the Code’s development.

Afterwards, the results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.

“The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is mandated by section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

“In accordance with its mandates, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, directed the Agency to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms), in collaboration with relevant Regulatory Agencies and Stakeholders.

“In line with the directive, NITDA wishes to present to the Public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for further review and input,” says the agency’s spokesperson, Hadiza Umar.

It is interesting to note that the Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country.

It will also help to define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem, in line with international best practices, as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.

A global fact that is indisputable is that activities conducted on Online Platforms wield enormous influence over man’s society, social interaction, and economic choices.

Therefore, the Code of Practice launched by NITDA will assist in recalibrating the relationship of online platforms with Nigerians, in order to maximise mutual benefits for the nation, while also promoting a sustainable digital economy.

In addition, the NITDA Code of Practice has outlined vital procedures of safeguarding the security and welfare of Nigerians, while interacting on online platforms.

While targeting to demand accountability from online platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their platforms, the NITDA Code of Practice, already has established a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms, such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.

To ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, it is heartwarming to learn that the Federal Government has set out conditions for online platforms operating in the country. And these conditions are ones that will be addressing issues around legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws.

The Draft Code of Practice, which is available on the NITDA website via https://nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Code-of-Practice.pdf for review and comments from the public, is one that will diammetrically sanitize the online/social media space in Nigeria, which appears to be toxic and contaminated at the moment.

Hence, its release at this defining moment of our nation’s history, hallmarked by venal insecurity, and other challenges of national development amid a silent technological revolution ongoing in the country’s digital ecosystem, championed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami is indeed very timely and APT.

Mahmud Abdulsalam
Deputy Editor
PRNigeria

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