TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, this week in in Bucharest, Romania, informed global sector leaders of the achievements recorded in Nigeria’s digital economy sector.

Professor Pantami while addressing Heads of delegation and policy makers at the on-going International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU PP2) noted that “Nigeria’s digital economy is the fastest growing sector in Nigeria’s economy and the only sector that grew by double digits at the peak of the Covid – 19 pandemic.

“Furthermore, the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last three years has been unprecedented. In the first quarter of 2020, the sector contributed more than 15% to Nigeria’s GDP, In the second quarter of 2021, the sector contributed 17.90% while the current statistics stands at an unprecedented 18.44%”.

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He told his audience that five, out of the seven unicorns in Africa originated from Nigeria and by implication; Nigeria currently contributes over 70% of the entire unicorns in Africa.

Professor Pantami stressed that the establishment of two virtual academies during the pandemic, dedicated to the empowerment of citizens with digital skills, and the various partnerships with global technology giants to train ten million citizens in the next two to three years have played a significant role in the success story of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The Nigeria Startup Law, which is in its advanced stage, aimed at providing an enabling environment for indigenous innovators, to provide solutions to existing national and global challenges is also a significant achievement in the sector”.

He reiterated that the development of nineteen national policies, all of which are in various stages of implementation, have facilitated the quantum leap recorded by the sector,” the minister said.

These national policies are in the areas of developmental regulation, Infrastructure, digital skills, indigenous content development among others.

He also used the opportunity to commend ITU for its efforts at global digital transformation, noted a statement by his Spokesperson, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman.

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TECHDIGEST – Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami said technology-led with effective service delivery which puts citizens in the picture, is the key idea underlying public sector reforms in the country. Professor Pantami made this disclosure today Thursday while delivering his keynote address titled Emerging Technologies, Partnerships and Collaborations on Citizens-Centred Technology Governance at the 11th African day International Conference on collaborations on citizens-centred technology conference, organised by the Republic of Slovenia.

Professor Pantami in his virtual address informed participants that “citizens-centred governance involves new ways of enabling citizens to prosper. It aims at providing an environment in which all citizens irrespective of class, caste and gender can develop to their full potential. It also aims at providing public service effectively, efficiently and equitably to the citizens as the core of good governance. Hence, good governance and citizens-centred administration are inextricably linked”

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Highlighting some of the strategies adopted by the Federal Government under the present administration to enhance citizens-centred technology governance including the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation and the subsequent establishment of a full-fledged bureau, the approval of the Presidential Council for Digital Economy and eGovernment, the Nigeria Startup Bill (NSB) and the accessibility of government services online, the Minister also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to expand the scope on both service rendition and delivery.

The minister while commending the giant strides made by Slovenia especially in the area of blockchain technology, noted that “a partnership between Slovenia and African countries would be a win-win situation and the conference is well poised to facilitate such collaborations”.

According to Spokesperson to the Minister, Uwa Sulaiman, the theme for this year’s conference is; Africa and Europe: Cooperation on Digital Transitions and New Technologies.

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TECHDIGEST – I have never ceased to wonder why the Nigerian media space is too polarized, often tilted along narratives that whip up sentiment, cause disafection and create a lacuna for system distrust and abhorrence of glorious public service impacts worth celebrating.

No doubt we are all at liberty to air our opinions, vent our grievance and demand necessary action from our public service holders – a neuclus that is the Crux of every democracy and free society.

However, it is lamentable the rate at which we are ready to latch on negative narratives with multiple times more vigour than we do when the opposite is the case.

I’d always hoped that this vintage point of mine will one day be proven wrong but the more positive events unfold in Nigeria, the more I fear for a total erosion of National pride in our collective affairs.

Just recently, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).

This followed a request made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami).

A statement by the Spokesperson to the Minister, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, said the NDPB was established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.

She explained that the successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the datafication of our society.

Interestingly, there was dead silence from all media quarters on this novel development.

Media narratives, discussion programs, social media parrots, public commentators all missed the opportunity for an in-depth analysis and lay breakdown of what this means for Nigeria and Nigerians.

If the opposite was the case, hell would have been let loose, the polity would have been over heated by now and the same community of keyboard and megaphone warriors would have been demanding for Pantami’s neck.

To think that the same man wrongfully accused of the propensity of handing the Data of Nigerians to terrorist has now put effective protection mechanisms in place to assure and ensure privacy is surely not palatable to Nigeria’s enemies of progress.

More so that the pioneer DG was neither a Northerner nor a Muslim, wait! Think for a moment if the opposite was the case, the emphasis I bet would never have been on the newly created agency but the appointed head.

That Pantami is a star genius and progressive visionary is not debatable even among his traducers. Since being appointed Minister, the man has performed sterlingly to the admiration of patriotic Nigerians and consternation of haters.

His track record on Digital Reforms in the last one month alone is not only enviable but highly loudable.

Spanning fields of cyber security, National identity (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection, Data Protection right, NIPOST Debit card, Chorea vehicle service, E -Government , 5g Network and facilitating the approval of Access of NIN data base to fight banditry in the country, Pantami has surely towered above sky scrapers.

Meanwhile, in recent time Pantami has championed the launching of New satellite to improve our internet capacity, the existing Sat1R, which was launched in 2011 with a life span of 15 years, will expire in the next four years.

Recall that the federal government had in 2017, announced plans to raise $550m for the construction of two new communications satellites for Nigeria, which the Chinese Export and Import Bank accepted to provide.

According to Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited NIGCOMSAT, the approval of the Chinese bank followed representation by Nigeria that it could not afford the 15 per cent counterpart funding required for the country to access the loan of $550m for the construction of the two new communications satellites.

However, the achievement is not limited digital space alone but, the enrollment of Nigerians in to the National identity Number NIN has rapidly improved with over 30% if compared with the previous administration.

Before he assumed office, the annual enrollment used to be around 1.5 to 2million but between he increased the NIN environment by 30 million in using the obsolete infrastructure.

The minister also on Jan. 27th launched 27 courier vehicles to help NIPOST improve service delivery across the country. The service will enable NIPOST key into e-governance and a sustainable digital economy. This will ensure that NIPOST is digitalized to deliver in its statutory mandates.

Its debit card and banking platform were designed to reach the unbanked population residing in remote areas. This is not intended to replace other debit cards but rather an alternative banking platform. This service which can be used online and offline, it provides other alternatives to people living in unobserved and difficult environments because NIPOST exists in many places where other banks do not because the service is in every local government.

The government deliberately wants to leverage on that, and ensure with use NIGCOMSAT to provide Internet connectivity all over the country in places where there are no ATMs and banks.

Prof. Isa Pantami also facilitated the approval Nigerian data Protection Bureau NDPB to enable Digital Economy rules of engagements this was after the establishment of national Centre for artificial intelligence and Robotics and Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) among others.

The successful implementation of the Nigerian Data protection bureau has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the datafication of our society, the Bureau has the responsibility for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy.

His efforts of boosting the Digital economy cannot be over emphased as is in line with the promoting the agenda of the federal government towards to achieving paperless government by the year 2030 to be driven by Block chain and other technologies.

Since attaining independence, Nigeria has experienced recurrent tensions due to the severe horizontal inequalities that exist between different ethnic nationals, Pantami ensures that the principles of Federal character are observed in appointments, allocations and locations of digital infrastructure in the country.

With all this tremendous achievement, no comments or a special regards from major Media quarters; albiet keyboard and megaphone warriors.

Salis Mohammed Manager, a member, Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR) writes from Kano via
managermsalis@gmail.com

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TECHDIGEST – Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has again warned that non-compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, which is in full effect attracts stiff penalties from offenders.

The Minister’s warning is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman while addressing world forum of ministers in London at the ‘Future Tech Forum’ titled: “The Future of Trust in Data as a Force for Good.’

The statement assured that protection of citizens data in Nigeria is not just a secondary legislation but a constitutional requirement to build trust between government and citizens.

“Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 was in full effect to build trust between the government and the governed, with non-compliance attracting stiff penalties,” it warned.

According to the statement, government has invested in creating awareness among the citizenry to enable understanding of both the regulation and government’s willingness to adhere to the dictates of law regarding confidentiality.

Prior to the NDPR of 2019, the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, provides for “lawful intercept’’ which was only effected when a security institution establishes a prima facie case of a crime.

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TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has called for a global approach towards tackling cybercrime.

Pantami said this when he spoke at a forum of technology ministers at the future tech forum on “The future of the internet: Trends and Opportunities” in London.

This was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Pantami said that the global approach was necessary as the need for ‘datafication’ kept increasing among global economies.

He noted that the need for a daily increase in data collection would continue to rise at a significant pace.

Quoting from research from the dawn of civilisation to the early 2000s, the minister said that only five exabytes of data were collected.

“Today, however, approximately 2.5 exabytes of data is collected within 24 hours. By implication, the amount of data generated and collected within 48 hours today is the same as that which was generated and collected over five thousand years before.

“Again, research by the International Data Corporation indicated that in the next four years, 41.6 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices could be connected and interconnected and these devices are expected to be generated around 79.6 billion petabytes of data.”

The minister said going by those figures, ‘datafication’ was on a significant rise and would continue to do so.

He stressed the need for government to prioritise the protection and judicious use of data.

“Datafication is inevitable. Therefore, we must place the same importance on cybersecurity, especially considering that a new malware is released every 4.6 seconds globally to compromise the cyberspace and inevitably, generate data.

“There is a clear indication that in the wake of the pandemic, the rate of cybercrime increased significantly due to an increased online presence.

“It is, therefore, necessary to give the same emphasis, priority and preference to the issue of cyber security.

“With cloud computing and cloud devices, national or regional regulation of data could be less relevant because as obtains in many situations, data may not be domiciled within a sovereign nation therefore border restrictions do not apply and are not respected,’’ he said.

(NAN)

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TECH DIGEST – The leadership of Cisco Africa Team today, Tuesday 13th July 2021, expressed the organisation’s willingness to partner with the country’s Digital Economy sector in order to further drive the Federal Government’s digitalisation process.

This gesture is as a result of the giant strides recorded by the sector under the leadership of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, according to a statement signed by the Minister’s Spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman.

Speaking at a virtual meeting initiated by Cisco, the Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, Ms Pastora Valero, commended Dr Pantami on what she described as his unprecedented legacies in the Nigerian Economy.

Valero said the Minister has demonstrated competence and innovative prowess through the establishment of a burgeoning digital sector that has caught global attention.

She urged the Minister to consider avenues of partnerships and collaborations with Cisco.

“We have keenly followed your progress and would very much like to be a part of your vision in driving the sector and are open to partnerships in that regard,” Valero said.

In her remarks, the Senior Director Policy and Governmental Affairs, Africa, Charmaine Houvet said “Pantami’s policies were in line with global trends and the potential for development in Nigeria cannot be ignored. The leadership that the Honourable Minister has brought to bear in the sector is highly commendable and Cisco is willing to be a part of this journey.”

In his response, Dr Pantami remarked that “we are championing a paradigm shift in the country leveraging on technology to give preference and priority to proven skills over paper qualifications. Particularly, digital skills”.

He drew the team’s attention to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) Document particularly, pillars two and seven, centred around digital literacy and skills and digital societies and emerging technologies, with the objective of capacity building through digital skills acquisition.

Pantami identified the need for partnership in the areas of training and urged Cisco to “establish training academies across Nigeria, especially in underserved areas in order to empower citizens with the requisite skills required to maintain global relevance”.

The Minister in response to Cisco’s prayers, immediately set up a technical team to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding in that regard.

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TECH DIGEST – The Federal Government of Nigeria has put in motion, plans to establish emerging technology centres across the country.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, disclosed this on Tuesday, 22nd June 2021 during his Keynote Address as the Special Guest of Honour at the Digital Africa Annual Conference.

Pantami who addressed the conference virtually stated that this year’s theme; ‘Building a New Africa with AI and Blockchain’ could not have come at a better time considering the efforts of the government to boost emerging technologies in Nigeria.

The Minister was quoted by his Spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, saying, “The seventh pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) focuses exclusively on developing emerging technologies among the populace. One of the ways of achieving this has been through the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and two virtual institutions currently building capacities in Artificial Intelligence, (AI) Blockchain technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Robotics and various other related fields”.

The development of a National Policy on Emerging Technologies, as part of NDEPS, which will further support the establishment of Emerging Technology Centres in Nigeria is underway”.

Dr Pantami, who commended the Chairman of Digital Africa, Dr Evans Woherem for his consistency, commitment and support for a Digital Nigeria also noted that Emerging Technologies have the potential for world domination and Nigeria aims to take advantage of its vast potential to become a leading nation in Africa.

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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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TECH DIGEST – Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami today in Abuja, under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress Professional Forum, 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 Muhammadu Buhari . These include the development and implementation of over a dozen policies to enable the digitalisation of Nigeria in line with global best practices.

Addressing newsmen at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Pantami disclosed that the sector as at “March 2021 has successfully saved over N22.4 billion to the federal coffers by executing its mandate to support of the anti corruption drive of the president through the implementation of the 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. Pantami noted that the National Policy frameworks on on entrepreneurship and start-ups, the digital literacy and skills – all part of the pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, have given impetus to the acquisition of digital skills and job creation drive of the sector.

His words: “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”

He said 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.

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 that hitherto used stolen identities to perpetrate crime unhindered”

According to the National Bureau of Statistics in its reports from the Q2 of 2020 till date, the digital economy sector under Dr. Pantami has retained the unprecedented position of the fastest growing sector in the nation’s economy with a whopping 14.70% growth rate.

Mrs. Uwa Suleiman is spokesperson to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

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PRESS RELEASE

TECH DIGEST – We are in receipt of credible intelligence that the same forces who have been championing a well-coordinated and richly funded campaign against the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, are now unto the next stage of their diabolic project.

This time around, the forces of evil are shopping for willing partners as well as their usual avenues, to release doctored videos purporting to show the Honourable Minister in an alleged compromising condition, as a way of creating injury on his image.

We are least surprised by this recent move which is a clear intensification of their desperation, having failed in their assault on the personality of the Honourable Minister, despite their previous efforts.

After concocting lies and half-truths linking the Honourable Minister with terrorism, despite his well-documented stance against Boko Haram and similar groups, these adversaries went to the extent of doctoring a document with a capacity to endanger national security. It was a relief for peace-loving Nigerians that the gimmick also failed to strike that sensitive chord.

This notice, therefore, is to alert the public to the latest ungodly plan and to warn the perpetrators about the consequences of such action. The Honourable Minister will not sit idly to see his hard-earned reputation as a respected community leader, Islamic Scholar and public servant being muddled in the mud by paid agents with no adherence to truth and fear of God.

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

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