Pantami, ICT Stakeholders Pledge Commitment To Digital Economy
PELUMI OLALEYE
With uttermost passion to transform Nigeria into a fully digital economy, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami and other stakeholders have pledged to support the federal government’s move on the sector.
The vow was made at the Digital Nigeria Day (DND) 2020 hosted by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy at the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja yesterday (October 24, 2020).
Speaking on the theme: ‘Digital Economy : A new Frontier for Economic Prosperity’, Pantami informed his audience that, following the name change of the ministry to reflect the new vision of the Federal Government for a truly digital economy, the Ministry, in collaboration with its agencies and industry players, have worked tirelessly to develop policy document in this direction.
He cited the World Economic Forum (WEF) report, which documents the huge economic potentials of digital economy, adding that based on this, the Ministry has developed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 and several other policy initiatives to ensure effective digitisation of the Nigerian economy both from public and private sector perspectives.
The Minister listed the various initiatives embarked upon in the last one year said “Our efforts have culminated in impressive 17 per cent ICT contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the second quarter of 2020,” adding that this is a testament to ongoing effective implementation of the digital economy policies already put in place.
He said some of the challenges in the industry are being collaboratively addressed with emphasis on provision of digital skills to Nigerians and ensuring the citizens are protected online in line with our mandates as a Ministry.
He, however, stated that the digital economy as s sector could be contributing as much as 45 per cent to GDP, considering that services in other sectors are being digitised leveraging on the ICT infrastructure.
While thanking the agencies under the Ministry and industry stakeholders for their support so far, the Minister restated his commitment to continue to work in synergy with relevant stakeholders across Federal, State and Local governments towards effectively transforming Nigeria into a truly-digital economy.
The NCC’S helsman, Prof Garba Danbatta,a Co-Chair, organising committee for the event, thanked the Minister for his pragmatic leadership, which is enhancing the performance of the ICT industry in Nigeria, saying, “We are confident that achieving targets of the digital economy policy and broadband policy will help us achieve increased digital access, reduce digital divide, enhance digital culture and ultimately ensure the realisation of a knowledge-based economy for the country”.