Nigeria’s Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has stated that the federal government plans to create two million digital jobs yearly as part of efforts to ensure young Nigerians partake fully in the fourth industrial revolution.

The Vice President stated this during an interview on Arise TV on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

According to him, Africa’s young population presents a unique advantage to the continent in the ongoing technological revolution with respect to AI and the Internet.

He noted that in the future, Africa led by Nigeria will become the global outsourcing capital as shortage of workers becomes prevalent all over Europe, America and even Asia.

He stated, “We are in a unique position. 230 million people 75% are below the age of 30 and are very much at home with digital technology. We can really take advantage of the digital revolution and rightfully take our place in the comity of nations”

“The present administration is poised to take advantage of this. There is the $618 million I-DICE program whereby we want to create two million digital jobs every year”
The Vice President further highlighted the potential of digital technology and the global outsourcing industry in attracting foreign capital using India as a reference point.

He noted that the highest Nigeria has ever derived from crude oil was $35 billion in 2011 during the administration of President Jonathan while India is poised to receive around $100 billion in 2024 from outsourcing alone.

Sen. Shettima has emphasized that Nigeria’s presence in Davos is to interact and collaborate with other countries on a mutually beneficial position and not to beg for alms.

He stated that contrary to popular opinion, the African continent is not poor but rather a rich resource capital for the world.

In allaying the fears of investors coming into the country, the Vice President promised that in the coming months, there will be novel solutions to different macroeconomic problems, especially in the foreign exchange market.

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TECHDIGEST – The World Economic Forum is having two meetings, one taking place in-person in Davos, the other in the metaverse.

According to Telecoms.com, the corporate lobby group on Tuesday launched a prototype of its Global Collaboration Village, giving 80 of its partner organisations a virtual space in which to, in WEF’s words, “take action on the world’s most pressing challenges.”

It runs on Microsoft’s Mesh mixed reality platform, and consists of three separate areas. First and foremost is the virtual congress centre: a virtual auditorium in which to attend conferences, bilateral meetings and workshops.

Then there are the collaborative centres, offering virtual collaboration spaces for smaller-scale, more in-depth meetings. Finally, there are the stakeholder campuses, essentially giving partners a virtual exhibition stand at which they can host meetings with other members.

“With the Global Collaboration Village, we are creating the first public purpose-oriented application of the metaverse technology, building a true global village in the virtual space,” said WEF chairman Klaus Schwab, in a statement. “Supported by a unique range of partners from the public and private sectors, the Village will use the frontier capabilities of the metaverse to find solutions for addressing the big issues of our time in a more open, inclusive and sustained way.”

READ ALSO: How CBN’s Cash Policy is Promoting e-Naira

Until now, most metaverse announcements have been pitched firmly at ‘the youth’, offering them a new means of socialising, consuming content, interacting with their favouring brands, and even meeting celebrities, albeit digital versions of them. This though, strikes a far more grown-up tone and, frankly, it is a struggle to envision how it will work.

Will hundreds of important decision makers – who have spent their entire careers putting on grey suits and going to meetings, having their calls screened and diaries managed by executive assistants – make a coordinated and sustained effort to learn how to control a 3D avatar of themselves using a headset and hand controllers, and then use those to attend productive virtual meetings? Or will they ‘attend’ via a PC or smartphone, thus reducing the Global Collaboration Village to little more than a snazzy Teams meeting?

According to a New York Post article from last year, annual WEF membership fees start at $62,000 and run to as much as $620,000 for a fancy one. On top of that, a ticket for the Davos get-together is $29,000. Is WEF really about to risk that cash-cow by making the Global Collaboration Village anything more than a slightly gimmicky sideshow?

WEF insists it’s a big believer in the metaverse concept though and accompanied the launch with two briefing papers. One of them emphasises the importance of interoperability – enabling users to move between the physical and digital world with their relevant data, digital assets and identities – while the other focuses on consumer applications, foundational technologies and pathways to economic value and growth.

WEF reckons that even though the metaverse’s precise definition is still being debated, the sector will be worth $800bn in 2024.

“The metaverse is the next version of the Internet and it is critical that it’s built by all, and for all,” said Cathy Li, WEF’s head of media, entertainment, and sport. “These two outputs reflect premier work on the metaverse involving such an extensive set of stakeholders and leaders,demonstrating the unique value of public-private partnership in metaverse development.”

Source  – Punch

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TECHDIGEST  – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), has commended all the agencies in the communications and digital economy sector for being dedicated to the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, and urged them to work collaboratively and co-ordinately in order to achieve the Federal Government’s strategic objectives as articulated in NDEPS.

Pantami stated this at a retreat organised by Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) for senior management staff of the Ministry and all its agencies which commenced on March 31, 2022.

The retreat was convened to evaluate the implementation of NDEPS in the context of what has been achieved, what needs to be achieved, and what processes should be emplaced to enhance the capacity of the Ministry and Agencies it superintends to mobilise all stakeholders to accomplish the objectives of NDEPS.

The retreat took place at the Nigerian Army Officers Wives’ Association (NAOWA) Centre at Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.

Citing the most recent report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Minister in his keynote and opening address told the forum that synergy among stakeholders in terms of co-operative posture, collaboration, coordination, deployment of social skills such as good listening skills, critical and analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, as well as project management and quality assurance skills, are central to organisational effectiveness, successes and the future of work, as projected by WEF.

Pantami then urged all the agencies and their staff to challenge themselves to do more rather than think of themselves as competitors.

Also speaking at the retreat, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), asserted that the NCC has acted superlatively in implementing NDEPS and in the context of the vision of Federal Government and the supervision of the Ministry. Danbatta who made clearly methodical presentation that chronologically documented NCC accomplishments under each of the eight (8) pillars of NDEPS, cited 10 of the 16 regulations that have been instituted in giving expression to Governments vision on developmental regulation, which is the first pillar of NDEPS.

These regulations were focused on Enforcement Processes, Lawful Interception, Quality of Service, Competition Practices, Licensing Regulations, and Universal Access and Universal Service among others.

Danbatta promised to also complete the review of the remaining soonest and activate their implementation. Danbatta, who used a triangulation method in contextualising the achievement of NCC under the first pillar, itemised the guidelines, regulations and policy development initiatives to discharge the burden of proof of NCC’s effectiveness in the regulation of ICT and digital economy sector through approaches that enabled development.

In implementing Digital Literacy and Skills, the second pillar, Danbatta also stated in his clearly explanatory presentation, that the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), set up by NCC in 2004, had trained 5,352 students through 49 institutions, provided educational training software to 398 secondary schools, and endowed 7 professorial chairs in various Nigerian universities across all the geopolitical zones.

On Solid Infrastructure, the third pillar of NDEPS, Danbatta stated that broadband penetration as at December 2021 was 40.88 percent, thus enabling 80 million Nigerians to have access to broadband services.

To reinforce the intensity of NCC’s commitment to improving broadband penetration, the EVC declared to the forum that NCC has emplaced a process for the deployment of optic fibre cable using Infrastructure Companies (Infracos).
Danbatta was emphatic that the licensed Infracos have been directed by the Commission to commence immediate roll out without recourse to counterpart funding because the licence issued to them is independent of the counterpart funding agreement.

The Infracos are expected to lay 38,296Km of fibre optic cable. Also, in keeping with Government’s directive through a Federal Executive Council decision of 2005, NCC has constructed 32 Emergency Communication Centres (EECs) in various states, and 32 of those have been activated and are operational. Prof. Danbatta also documented copiously in his presentation, Commission’s achievement in the other five pillar areas.

Dr. Armstrong Takang, an innovative and technology-for-development specialist, who presented the lead paper as guest speaker, praised the Federal Government for concretely aligning ICT, and digital economy with national economic imperatives. Additionally, he commended NCC for driving the necessary infrastructure purposely and strategically, and for its effectiveness in regulating the telecom sector.

Takang, citing Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory Administration as good models, Takang emphasised the correlates of adoption of technology or automation in economic growth and effective governance, crediting technology for improved internally-generated revenue in Lagos State.

Takang recommended that Nigeria must link technology to specific programmes that are impacting and sustainable.

He also asserted that Nigeria needs to undertake pilots for projects that are planned for implementation and utilise the results of the pilots to scale up and for budgeting.

Takang also bemoaned the human capital challenge in the ICT sector in Nigeria, insisting that at least 500,000 software engineers are required to redirect efforts for effectiveness of policy.

The Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in FMoCDE, Engr. Abubakar Ladan, and the following CEOs of the other agencies in the Ministry also made presentations on their efforts and activities towards accomplishing the objectives of NDEPS: Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); Dr. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), represented by Engr. Abdulrahman Adajah; Engr. Aliyu Aziz, Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Prof. Muhammed Abubakar, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Plc; Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, Postmaster General of the Federation and Managing Director, Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST); and Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB). All the agencies and the Ministry were well represented at the retreat by at least 6 officers in the directorate cadre.

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TECHDIGEST – Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, accompanied by Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is attending ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022.

The Mobile World Congress, the most influential conference and exhibition of stakeholders in mobile technology, innovation and connectivity, is taking place in Barcelona from February 28 to March 3, 2022.

The Nigerian delegation will engage global players in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sphere to explore areas of strategic collaboration and investment for accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s emergent digital economy.

The Nigerian delegation is scheduled to participate in at least 33 sessions during the Mobile World Congress organised by Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The gathering attracts the participation of biggest manufacturers, GSM operators, mobile brands, regulators and policy makers from across the world, showcasing innovations, new announcements, new products and emergent innovations.

Among the teams Pantami will lead other participants from Nigeria to meet, are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), representatives the World Economic Forum (WEF), and other key actors in the global ICT ecosystem.

On arrival in Barcelona, Pantami, Danbatta and top echelon of the Nigerian delegation, hit the ground running by holding purposive strategic talks with Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), a global organization advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation.

The discussion focused on spectrum sharing and unlicensed technologies as well as progress of DSA’s work in this regard, with emphasis on how DSA’s processes will benefit Nigeria. The meeting took place on February 28, 2022.

Same day, the Nigerian delegation also had a meeting with Nokia and discussed potential government initiatives and how NCC and Nokia can collaborate more strategically to accomplish some policy objectives and targets of the institutionalised digital digital economy processes in Nigeria.

On March 1, aside participation in other key sessions slated for the day, the Nigerian delegation met SpaceX, a satellite operator to discuss licensing and authorisation issues as the may affect SpaceX.

The Pantami-led delegation equally met with the representatives of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to explore and concretely engage about opportunities within the framework of the EDISON Alliance for Digital Inclusion, and the possibility of Nigeria becoming Lighthouse Country of the Alliance.

EDISON Alliance was launched by WEF to mobilise a global movement to prioritize digital inclusion as foundational to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is envisioned to enhance attainment of goals towards fostering affordable and accessible digital opportunities for everyone by 2025.

One significance of the deliberations with WEF is the readiness to leverage relationship with EDISON Alliance to accelerate and foster unprecedented collaboration between the ICT community and other critical sectors of the economy in order to advance Nigeria’s vision on financial inclusion.

Indeed, on March 1, 2022, the Nigerian delegation is also scheduled to discuss with the MTN team, and thereafter proceed to attend a demo at Meta’s Exhibition Stand, where the CEO of Meta and owner of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is to call for global partnership to build the next world virtual reality (metaverse). A metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection.

On March 2, 2022, the Nigerian delegation will meet a United States (US) delegation to discuss collaboration on telecommunications and related ICT issues. The Nigerian delegation will also engage the exhibition by Huawei Technologies as well as chat with the company’s senior executive management.

Speaking at the influential, global technology congress, Pantami said “The high-level discussion which Nigerian delegation is having with both original equipment manufacturers and other key players in the ICT world will enhance deeper alliance, collaboration and bilateral synergy required to accelerate Nigeria’s vision for a real digital economy.”

Amplifying the Minister’s voice, Danbatta said Nigeria’s participation at the event on an annual basis is based on the realistaion that “MWC provides a vibrant deal-making environment for attendees, as it also remains a truly international exhibition attracting decision-makers in the mobile ecosystem which Nigeria is keen to explore to grow its telecoms and ICT industry.”

The 2022 MWC is being attended by mostly senior executives and management staff of over 2000 companies, institutions and entities from 183 countries.

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TECHDIGEST – Minerals are a major source of income for many countries. They are the raw materials that drive the global economy. Most developing countries depend on these resources for economic development.

Like in most other industries, technological innovation is disrupting the mining industry. Emerging technologies are offering a variety of innovative opportunities within the mining industry.

In recent times, the mining/extractive industry is experiencing the transformative impact of rapid technological innovation. In other words, these technologies are having a fundamental impact on the mining sector.

Automation and remote capabilities, digitisation transformation, sustainability and smart collaboration have been identified as the foremost trends that are revolutionising the mining industry.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is one of the new technologies that have the ability to transform the mining industry. IIoT brings significant increase in the efficiency and productivity of mining operations. It refers to interconnected smart sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with the industrial applications of computers, to enhance manufacturing, mining, energy management and diverse industrial processes.

Also known as the Industrial Internet or Industry 4.0, IIoT uses the power of smart machines and real-time analytics to capture and analyse data in real time, and communicate important information that can be used to drive industrial processes faster and more accurately.

Some of the latest technologies in the mining industry include autonomous vehicles, automated drilling and tunnel boring systems, drones and smart sensors, spatial data visualisation (geo-spatial), visual reality, augmented reality, GIS, and artificial intelligence.

As a driving force of industrial revolution, IIoT is contributing significant benefits to various types of industries, whether small businesses, end-users, or large scale businesses. IIoT is the key to processes such as predictive maintenance, enhanced field service, energy management and asset tracking in the solid mineral mining sector.

With the massive switch to remote services, mining/extractive companies are adopting Industry 4.0 or Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions to automate operations for improved productivity, reduced equipment downtime and costs, predictive maintenance, and enhanced safety for mine personnel.

Digital applications remotely monitor the condition of mines and mineral processing plants to offer a complete online view of automation, instrumentation, electrical, mechanical or process equipment.

This allows specific maintenance-oriented algorithms to help predict and alert users to upcoming maintenance needs and possible equipment failures, as well as labour, travel and electric needs.
A report by McKinsey & Company estimates that mine digitalisation could save $373 billion by 2025, while also raising productivity and safety, and cutting down waste. This is an acknowledgment that digitalisation is vital to the future of the mining industry.

Moreover, the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that autonomous machines will be commonplace in the mining sector by 2025. With these machines operating round the clock every day, at high levels of productivity and with lower personnel costs, it could add $56 billion in value to the industry.
Africa’s largest mining companies are based in South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, DR Congo and Sierra Leone.

Following Nigeria’s over-dependence on oil and gas for revenue, the solid minerals mining industry is under-developed, as these abundant natural resources are still untapped. As such, the sector accounts for only 0.3 per cent of its gross domestic product.

While the Federal Government is taking steps to diversify the economy, it is yet to revamp the mining sector so as to harness the abundant reservoir of solid mineral wealth that nature had deposited in the country.

Coal, gold, iron ore, uranium, limestone, bitumen, columbite, rock salt, granite, gypsum, and gemstones (emerald, topaz, sapphire, ruby, amethyst e.tc.) are among the rich mineral resources that are yet to be fully harnessed.

However, mining industries in other parts of the world are turning to emerging technologies, particularly, the industrial internet of things to reshape the operations and management processes in the sector.

But the reverse is the case in Nigeria, as the industry is still holding onto the traditional methods of mining, which depend on crude equipment and the use of artisans in the surface mines.

I am of the view that government needs to prepare and respond to the technological shifts in the mining sector in order for all stakeholders to achieve shared value from the industry.

Besides, the financial benefits of increased efficiencies and productivity in the sector, the shift to new technologies would offer employment and investment in local communities. Also it would create opportunities for individuals to fit into low-paying, low-skilled jobs and high-paying, high skilled jobs, depending on the level of technological skills.

Agreed, one of the largest impacts that technology will have on the mining sector is on the workforce. This is because automation and robots are taking away jobs. But technology has introduced new fields outside the core competencies.

Such new fields as biochemistry, bio-engineering and computer science are becoming pivotal to the mining industry. It is envisaged that advancements would open up more opportunities for educated and skilled workers and for the existing workforce to be trained to take on new technologies.

Given the inspiring impact of digital technologies in different sectors of the economy, relevant departments and agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and that of Mines and Steel Development should hasten action towards collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and formulate clear policies for integration of new technologies and innovation to economically harness the untapped solid mineral resources beneath our motherland.

Inyene Ibanga writes from Wuye District, Abuja.

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