Stakeholders tasked on new strategies for Digital Nigeria

Nigeria’s digital agenda will require stakeholders, especially those in the Information and Communications Technology sector, to evolve a workable synergy in line with the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was the submission of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Musa Istifanus, at the 8th National Council on Communications and Digital Economy seminar, themed, “Leveraging the Digital Economy Policies and Strategies for Economic Recovery in a COVID-19 Era and Beyond,” which took place in Owerri, Imo State.

The Permanent Secretary said the theme was apt and a step in the right direction considering the impact of the pandemic and government’s stance in achieving a globally competitive economy, with digital technologies.

In his words, “Nigeria, like most developing nations, has come to recognize the importance of ICT as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development. This is why we chose the theme.”

He stated that COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected economies globally, has compelled the Ministry to make some far-reaching policies like the development of the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institution, and facilitation of Virtual Federal Executive Council Meetings.

He continued: “the Ministry has been rejigged to use digital technologies to enhance national socio-economic development by increasing the contribution of ICT to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The policy thrusts of the Ministry clearly articulate the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020 – 2025), National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Telecom Sector, National Digital Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Policy, Policy on virtual engagement in the Public Service, among others.”|

He added that the purpose is to use digital technologies to enhance national socio-economic development by increasing the contribution of ICT to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Istifanus argued that Nigeria is confronted by a new challenge and the expectations of citizens must be delivered with limited resources.

“We are fully committed to the integration of ICTs in the socio-economic development of Nigeria in order to transform the country into a knowledge–based economy,” he stressed.

He added that connectivity, capacity building and inter-agency collaboration, are key factors that will bridge the digital divide and enhance technology development and to address these new challenges by ensuring that we actively engage with stakeholders.

He opined that the society has realized the gains of ICT and the Ministry is committed to utilizing these possibilities, and is moving towards transparency and openness, as there are initiatives to increase the engagement with the citizen, attract usage, develop increased levels of trust, and improve the service delivery.