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General News

Foundation unveils ‘No-Code Web Programme’ for job growth in digital economy

By Aderogba George

The Engr. Gbenga Komolafe Education Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has launched its ‘No-Code Web Development’ Scholarship Programme.

This initiative aims to empower individuals with essential digital skills, preparing them for success in today’s economy and fostering job creation opportunities.

The Convener of the foundation, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the ‘No-Code Web Development’ programme is an integral part of the foundation’s extensive Digital Economy Strategy.

“In today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving environment, the demand for digital proficiency has never been more critical.

“Recognising the diminishing significance of traditional barriers such as coding expertise, the foundation is committed to creating accessible pathways for individuals to enter and thrive in the technology industry.

“The No-Code Web Development’ programme will furnish participants with the tools and knowledge required to design and launch high-caliber websites without the necessity of coding.

“Through the utilisation of user-friendly platforms and drag-and-drop interfaces, participants will cultivate the skills to materialise their creative visions, whether in the form of personal portfolios, e-commerce platforms, or online blogs.

“With the No-Code Web Development initiative, our aim is to democratise access to digital skills, and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to capitalise on the opportunities in the digital era to create jobs” Komolafe said.

He further explained that technology has the potential to revolutionise lives and propel economic advancement, stressing that in addition to the ‘No-Code Web Development programme’, the digital economy strategy encompasses an array of initiatives intended to foster digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

He emphasised that ranging from coding bootcamps to mentorship programmes, the Foundation remained steadfast in its dedication to supporting individuals at all stages of their technology career journey.

“The ‘No-Code Web Development programme’ is set to commence on June 1 and welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

“Prospective participants are encouraged to visit http://egkefoundation.org.ng/ for additional information and to register for the upcoming sessions”, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Uche Anunne

General News

Ministry partners NIPSS on digital economy for youth employment

By Franca Ofili
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, says the Federal Government is making  efforts to harness the potential of  digital economy in empowering the youths.

Olawande communicated this on Tuesday in Abuja when the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46, 2024, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, visited the ministry on a study tour.

The minister said that synergy with NIPSS would go a long way in capacity building for young people in digital economy.

According to him, with more than 50 per cent of its population below the age of 30, Nigeria has a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

Olawande said that the year’s theme was “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities.’’

According to him, Nigerian youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

“However, they face numerous challenges, including limited access to quality education, skills training, and job opportunities.

“The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges.’’

The minister said that with the rise of e-commerce, digital payments, and remote work, the youth could access global markets, skills training, and job opportunities like never before.

He said that the country must address the issues and challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria.

“These include limited digital literacy and skills training, inadequate infrastructure, including internet penetration and electricity supply.

“High cost of data and limited access to funding; cybersecurity threats and data privacy concerns; limited government support and regulatory frameworks.’’

Olawande said that in order to overcome the challenges, the ministry had implemented various initiatives, such as digital skills training programmess for youth; focusing on areas like software development and, data analytics.

He also listed digital marketing especially in the NYSC-Galaxy Back Bone partnership to improve infrastructure including internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply.

The minister said that other things were funding opportunities, such as grants, loans, and venture capital, to support startups and small businesses with the launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

“We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability.

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities for our youth.’’

According to him, the ministry seeks collaboration in areas like policy development, providing insights and recommendations for policy development in areas related to the digital economy, youth empowerment and sustainable job creation.

He requested for assistance in the development of strategic plans for agencies, private sector organisations, and civil society groups working in those areas.

“Capacity building–offering training and capacity building programmes for the youth to enhance their skills and knowledge in the digital economy and related fields.

“Research and analysis–conducting research and analysis on various aspects of the digital economy, youth empowerment and sustainable job creation; providing data-driven insights to inform decision-making, among others.

“As we move forward, it is essential to prioritise digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, while addressing the issues of infrastructure, funding, and regulatory frameworks.

“By doing so, we can unlock the potential of the digital economy to create sustainable jobs and empower our youth to drive Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity,” Olawande said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of NIPSS delegation, Ms Nima Mann, said that they were in the ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help government chart its course for the year.

“We are in the ministry to listen to what you are doing to help the youth; how you are doing it; strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani,
Science & Tech

Ministry commences phase 2 of 3MTT initiative, selects 270,000 Fellows

By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has announced the commencement and selection of 270,000 Fellows for the second phase of three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.

Tijani made the announcement virtually in Abuja.

He said that the initiative was set to position Nigeria as a net-exporter of talents.

Tijani said that the 3MTT second phase would train a total of 270,000 Fellows bringing it to 10 per cent after the first 30,000.

He added that the initiative had so far attracted about 1.8 million registrations from intended trainees in the 774 Local Governments across Nigeria.

According to Tijani, the launch of the second cohort was for the pilot phase of the programme.

“Our 270,000 new Fellows will have the opportunity to go through their courses in the next 12 to 18 months, and the goal here is to continue to provide them with cutting-edge content.

“This will make them learn at their own pace and also link them up to physical learning locations close to where they live.

“As we continue to build out these opportunities, our goal is to support our people to ensure that we can give them the skill set that they require to participate in the global digital economy.

“We understand that as we empower them, we will end up strengthening our ability to defend our GDP as a country.

“To defend the complexity of our economy, as well as ensure that we continue to drive the growth that we want to see in our beloved country,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the ministry was engaging with partners to provide support for fellows who may choose to start technology-focused businesses after their training.

Tijani said, “As we continue interacting, we are working with partners to ensure those who want to go the route of entrepreneurship can be supported to kick off their small businesses to start their technology start-ups.

“Hopefully it will help create a solution to many of the problems that we face in the country that technology can help address.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 3MTT initiative was launched in November 2023 is to empower Nigerians with critical digital skills.

It is the largest talent accelerator in the world targeted at driving effective and efficient use of technology to transform government services and creating workforce that can deepen the application of technology across critical sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Bashir Rabe Mani

Illustration for Digital economy
Business

Digital economy, panacea for global advertising growth – expert

By Lucy Ogalue

The Lead Economist and Researcher at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Omomia Omosomi, has reiterated the importance of the digital economy in ensuring the growth of the global advertising sector.

Omosomi said this at the ongoing National Advertising Conference (ARCON) on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had as its theme, “Marketing Communication as an Enabler of National Transformation.”

”Data is very integral for decision-making across various sectors of the economy. Lack of accurate and adequate data is one of the biggest challenges we face in our economy.

”It is one of the issues that has affected both the public and private sectors in making accurate decisions that help move the economy forward,” she said.

She said the global advertising spend, according to PWC Global, was estimated to reach one trillion dollars by 2027.

”Historically, the advertising industry grew by about eight per cent, from $571.4 million to $825.9 million in 2022.

”And it is estimated to reach about $874.5 million at the end of 2023.

”Part of what is driving the global advertising sector is the digital economy,” she said.

According to her, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted how we work, do business and interact due to the lockdown effect on industries, companies, and businesses.

Omosomi said the pandemic led to an expansion of the online community because a lot of people moved from offline to online.

She said the move made businesses look at creative ways of staying afloat while leveraging digital platforms to drive business decisions and economies.

”That shift has not returned as more people are still working online, with many companies still trying to get their employees back to normal work,” the economist said.

Omosomi said based on a World Bank report, the digital economy made up more than 50 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She said it grew 2.5 times faster than the previous 10 years and more than the GDP of the physical world.

The economist said the digital economy was, by this, more or less the future for our economy.

“It would be a good way for us experts in the marketing communications industry to reposition ourselves to take advantage of the digital economy’s opportunities,” she said.

According to Omosomi, the United States holds the largest advertising market globally in terms of size, while China, the second largest, is expected to grow faster.

”Regarding advertising spending, Africa remains the smallest regional advertising market globally, with less than five per cent of global spending.

”Nigeria, as of 2022, controls about 7.1 per cent of the total African market, and it is the fourth largest market in Africa in terms of advertising spend, following Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Science & Tech

FG seeks enhanced private sector engagements for digital economic growth

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Federal Government has called for more private sector collaborations to ensure Nigeria’s participation in global technology trade for digital economic growth.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, made the call at the opening ceremony of the 3-day Digital Nigeria conference, exhibition and awards in Abuja.

Organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the theme of the conference was “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Job Creation, Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainability”.

Tijani said that technology was evolving and countries that made the most out of technology were those who had progressive attitude of continuously asking questions and demanding better ways of doing things.

He reiterated that his leadership had five key pillars that would transform the technology ecosystem in the country.

Tijani listed the keys as: Knowledge sharing, focus on policy, building of infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship on capital and participation in the global trade economy.

“We understand that for us to continue to make gains out of technology and to continue to develop technology for good in Nigeria, we must prioritise the development of our workforce.

“We must also prioritise knowledge generation for us to become a major player globally, not just in Africa in technology, we must be part of knowledge generation and application.

“As a nation that is open to coming up with policies to support the development of technology in our ecosystem, we do so by not using policy as a way of stifling innovation.

“We use policy as an opportunity to open up our market for innovators and entrepreneurs to actually build and also while protecting society,’’ he said.

Tijani further said that in spite of the gains that had been made on infrastructure in Nigeria, to benefit from the digital economy, the nation must continue to reimagine how to invest, regulate and make infrastructure available for people.

“We reimagine the use of our satellites, ensure that we manage our spectrum more effectively, ensure that we make innovation spaces available to our people to actually innovate.

“It is our duty to ensure that the pool of patient capital available for people to innovate in Nigeria is good enough, and is robust enough to support our dreams.

“It is also our responsibility to ensure that we use policies to encourage entrepreneurs, we help the country to capture value by driving more local domiciliation of startups.

“If we do one, two, three and four effectively, now we can actually also participate in global technology trade as well,’’ he said.

The minister said the government was open to collaborations, input from the private sector, adding that our collective responsibility and investment would get us to where we desired.

Tijani commended the efforts of technology players both in government and private sector which had led to the evolution of technology in the country.

”It is easy for us to focus on what we need to build in our country or lose sight of the gains that we’ve actually made as a nation,” he added.

Tijani said that it was their efforts that gave Nigeria the backbone required to participate in the global economy.

The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, in his address, said that the celebration symbolised the collective aspirations to launch Nigeria at the forefront of digital innovation.

Inuwa said that technology had transformed individuals, nations, way of life and the very fabric of human identification.

He said that digital Nigeria was at the core of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which included inclusive economic growth, productivity and prosperity for all.

Inuwa recalled that according to statistics, digitally transformed enterprises contributed 13.5 per cent dollars to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.

“It is projected to contribute 53.3 trillion dollars to the global GDP this year, that means more than 50 per cent of the global GDP.

“Looking at these key activities or enablers of digitisation, we are so keen about innovation, on how we use digital to innovate and grow our economy.

“We aim to use the power of digital technology to foster job creation, ensure inclusive economic growth, and lay the foundation for the future digital economy in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Inuwa added that the conference was designed to boost networking, activate conversations around innovation and inspiration, engender policies and regulations that can provide the enabling environment to thrive as a nation.

Other objectives he mentioned included building a stronger ecosystem for global visibility, leading to economic activities, hence national prosperity.

Mrs Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer of MainOne Cable, while speaking on “The Role Emerging Technologies Can Play in Helping National Frog Leap’’, said, ”we need to encourage global players in Nigeria.

”We need to encourage them to trade in our technology market and domesticate technology platforms and create jobs locally.

“If we are able to put in place a strategy to bring digital technology value chain to our country, provide the right incentives and build broadband infrastructure, provide our young people with access to knowledge.

”Nigeria can be positioned in the same way as South Korea, Singapore, or as India is lifting its citizens out of poverty.
“The one million jobs we are looking to create in this administration can become five million jobs in less than 10 years and create the wealth that will turn around.\”

The conference had in attendance, tech industry leaders, government officials, tech enthusiasts, students and many other participants.

There was also an exhibition tour by the dignitaries as well. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

New NCC boss commits to Tinubu’s vision on digital economy

By Jessica Dogo

The Executive Vice-chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, says he will align its regulatory focus to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda in the present administration.

Maida said this while interacting with NCC’s members of staff in Abuja on Wednesday.

He also said that he would align with the promises of President Bola Tinubu to advance the nation’s digital transformation agenda.

Maida, who spoke to the senior management team of the commission, said there was the need to ensure that the NCC strategically focused on ensuring all Nigerians’ access to affordable and reliable broadband services.

He said part of this was to ensure effective broadband infrastructure diffusion across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The new telecom regulator paid tributes to his predecessors for their laudable roles in building a resilient telecoms industry.

The EVC said the pursuit of improved quality of service on the networks would be one of his priorities, as well as supporting the administration’s vision through the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.

Maida said, “Considering the fact that many people are going more digital and virtual in everything they do, the telecom infrastructure is now under much stress.

“ President Tinubu’s vision emphasises the need to build more robust broadband connectivity that will not only facilitate seamless digital transactions but also serve as the bedrock for e-governance and other socio-economic initiatives.

“As such, we would align with this aspiration to increase broadband penetration to 70 per cent and to cover 90 per cent of the population by 2025.

“Therefore, we need to build a reliable telecom industry with impressive quality of service (QoS) indicators with quality of experience (QoE) as our watchword and ultimate goal.”

He said his tenure would address a number of issues such as the Right of Way (RoW) challenge, ensuring security of telecom infrastructure, among others.

Maida said efforts must be made to significantly improve service delivery by ensuring the NCC was performance-driven.

“ Mr President has a very clear agenda from which all of us are going to take our direction. The two major areas are job creation and enabling the digital economy.

“ Where we are going in a nutshell is; everything that we do in this Commission has to align directly with the Strategic Plan of the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.

“ We will not entertain anything that deviates from this direction because my key performance indicators (KPIs) are fed into the Minister’s KPIs and the President KPIs come from the electorate that put him into power.”

“ The Minister has said clearly that he is ready to build a robust digital infrastructure and empower three million Nigerians digitally and we have to do our best to support him in this regard,” he said.

Maida stated that in the Strategic Plan of the Minister, there was a plan to empower three million Nigerians in digital skills and entrepreneurship.

He said this would require the commission to support Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) as a digital training institution, to be well positioned in driving the government’s agenda on youth empowerment.

The EVC also emphasised the importance of effective spectrum management and utilisation in supporting the envisioned digital connectivity agenda.

This, Maida said, was critical to service deployment to the generality of Nigerians and businesses in the country.

He appreciated his predecessors and the entire staff of the commission for the laudable role being played in digital transformation of all sectors by stimulating the deployment of baseline telecom infrastructure.

The EVC called on the commission’s members of staff to join his leadership with a sense of purpose as a team towards advancing the actualisation of the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said it recognised a thriving digital economy in achieving sustainable development and quality of life for all citizens. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

Digital Economy: Pantami lauds World Bank’s role in capacity building

By Jessica Dogo

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has commended the World Bank for its role in facilitating capacity building in the sector.

Pantami, gave the commendation when he addressed participants during a virtual interaction, where he served as the Special Guest of Honour, on Thursday in Abuja.

He expressed satisfaction that the partnership between the ministry and the financial apex body was yielding the desired results as the training on Innovative Business Models for Expanding Broadband and Closing Access Gaps was underway.

The Minister disclosed that the training would subsequently include the public and private sectors as well as the academia and professional bodies.

This, he said, was an initiative of the ministry and the World Bank aimed at strengthening digital capacities in the sector, specifically in the area of broadband improvement and access.

Mr Doyle Galleops, Lead Facilitator of the programme and World Bank’s Global Broadband Specialist, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the partnership and the opportunity to facilitate the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had in December 2020 initiated the strategy in partnership with the World Bank. (NAN)

General News

LASG, stakeholders condemn vandalism of highway wire mesh panels

By Grace Alegba

Dr Idris Salako, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Thursday condemned vandalism of newly installed highway wire mesh panels in some parts of the state.

Salako told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that some of the highway wire mesh panels around Adekunle towards the Third Mainland Bridge Ramp and Oko Baba areas had been vandalised.

The commissioner blamed saw millers at Oko Baba for the vandalism of the fence.

Salako said his ministry was planning an immediate sensitisation exercise for the saw millers who used Third Mainland Bridge Adekule Ramp as loading point for wood and timber.

He said the saw millers used those areas as transit to load on the bridge and in so doing damaged the wire mesh panels.

He also said an existing overhead bridge designed for a different purpose was being used by saw millers across the Adekunle Ramp on Third Mainland Bridge as bus stop, which he described as risky and illegal.

Salako said the new highway fence were made from iron for durability and served the purpose of safety and to beautify the environment.

NAN correspondent who visited the area reports that the highway wire mesh panels were installed around Adekunle Ramp linking Third Mainland Bride and Oko Baba.

The wire mesh panels have reflective lightening materials which glow at night, indicating the boundaries of the roads.

“We chose the strong iron highway wire mesh panels because they are durable. We also considered the safety of vehicles moving fast in the night as important, that is why we had to put the lights as reflector to help traffic flow.

“I am planning to visit the place before the end of the week to talk to the saw millers to let them know why government has put in place the facility to safeguard lives and to tell them to desist from vandalising them,” said the commissioner.

He promised that the government would continue to engage residents of Makoko and Ebute Meta on why they should not use the super highway bridge as access route or bus stop.

Salako appealed to residents of Makoko, Oko Baba and Ebute Meta areas to use the under pass of the Adekunle Ramp of the Third Mainland Bridge, which was a safe route.

“Crossing the bridge is like committing suicide, if you look at the traffic flow from Third Mainland Bridge through Adekunle, vehicles are moving at top speed,” he said.

Salako said the state government was going to replicate the new highway wire mesh panel across the state because of its durability and would guide against its vandalism.

“We used the Adekunle highway wire mesh panels as a case study and we will be replicating it all across the state as the year goes on.

A traffic and safety expert, Mr Patrick Adenusi, told NAN that the wire mesh panels served two major purposes; safety and prevention of crimes on the highways.

Adenusi said the highway fence would curb the menace of traffic robbery and other criminal activities by street urchins who perpetrate crimes and run off across the road.

“The facility will boost highway safety and curb criminal activities. The quick escape of hoodlums will no longer be possible. The hoodlums would want it out of the way,” he said.

Adenusi who is the Executive Director, Technical, Safety Beyond Borders, an NGO, advised the government to continue to educate residents to appreciate the facility to stop the vandalism.

Mr Ajayi Adeleye, Lagos Council Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) also joined other stakeholders to condemn vandalism of the new durable infrastructure.

Adeleye commended the state government for the new highway fence and called for continuous sensitisation on the importance of the road infrastructure, which was meant to protect both motorists and pedestrians.

“Government should not be discouraged by the vandalism, it should install this new highway wire mesh panels on all Lagos roads. The lights on this new highway fence is unique,” he said.

However, two ward leaders in Oko Baba Saw Mill who spoke to NAN blamed social miscreants for the vandalism of the facility, which they adjudged to be a good infrastructure.

Olalekan Ogunlana, Ward Chairman, Oko Baba Plank Market, said, “people are constantly knocked down by fast moving vehicles so government should put this new barriers everywhere.”

Mr Oladepo Adeolu, Vice Secretary, Ward D, Lagos State Saw Millers Association in Ebute Meta, said the association was sensitising the residents, and usually advised them against vandalism.

Mr Musa Iliyasu, a commercial motorcycle operator in Makoko, said the Adekunle Ramp of Third Mainland Bridge was an easier and cheaper bus stop for people going to Obalende or Adeniji.

Iliyasu said one of the vandalised portions was used as quick access route on the Third Mainland Bridge Ramp linking Adekunle in Yaba to help pedestrians get to parks easily.

“If this place is not opened people cannot come down here to take bike or tricycle. They will have to walk all the way to Adekunle, which is the legal bus stop and we cannot park there.

“We like this highway wire mesh panels but it is disturbing our business, government should open a small space for those who want to take the risk to cross the highway,” he said.

General News

Research, innovation key to digital economy – Don

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Prof. Sola Aderounmu, former Dean, Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday said that digital economy cannot be achieved in the country without focusing on research and innovation.

Aderounmu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja, said that research findings based on knowledge had a huge role to play in ensuring that any clime’s economy was digitised.

He recalled the definition of Digital Economy by World Bank Digital Economy report as part of economic output derived solely from digital technologies (ICT) with a business model based on digital goods and services.

According to the report, digital economy comprises emerging technologies, including a platform economy, a gig economy, an industry, a digital economy, data analytics, robotics and Artificial Intelligence, among others.

“The digital economy as it is today encompasses wide-range economic activities that leverage digitised information and knowledge as fundamental dynamics of production.

“Diverse innovative digital technologies are deployed to gather data, store, analyse and then share the same data digitally to facilitate more effective interactions and efficient transactions in modern society.

“The role of research in digital economy is that it enables innovation.

“There can be no progress without innovation and also there is no innovation without research.

“Innovative technologies are products of research and in a digital economy era, research is even more organically indispensable because innovations are what drive, grow and sustain economic digitalisation,’’ Aderounmu said.

The don said that research could help in creating design options for the optimum utilisation of the immense latent possibilities of economic digitalisation.

According to him, investing in research projects helps discover new products, ways of improving on existing products and processes, hence facilitating innovations that stimulate digital economy.

Aderounmu said that discoveries toward digital economy could be derived from institutions of learning which always formed the bedrock of research.

He recommended that nations, governments, should pay priority attention and provide massive funding for Research and Development (R&D) activities and projects in the academia and tech industry.

The don said that more innovation hubs and technology parks must be established and well-funded to expand research capabilities.

“There is a critical need to deepen strategic partnerships between the academia and entrepreneurial industry, so to ensure that research efforts yield rewarding outcomes that benefit society and advance the digital economy.

“The collaboration between the academia and industry can also explore curriculum planning for institutions of higher learning in order to evolve the right ICT programmes that will help realise the skills requirements of the future.

“Above all, the implementation of a digital economy strategy must be a deliberate government policy that is well thought out and structured.

“Governments of developing economies such as in Africa need to take the right steps toward the actualisation of a modern digital economy strategy.

“Developing countries can also build a robust digital economy by promoting digital skills uptake among citizens, minimising capacity constraints, investing in wholesome ICT ecosystems,’’ Aderounmu said.

He advised that up-to-date digital infrastructure should be provided, easier digital access facilitated, regulatory frameworks that nurture and protect competition strengthened and policies for stimulating sustainable innovation implemented.

The don added that technology hubs and incubation centres also contribute to the research ecosystem towards a digital economy and should be given attention too.

Aderounmu mentioned that OAU has an ICT-Driven Knowledge Park known to have initiated innovations and produced entrepreneurial start-ups had suffered some set back like other ICT parks toward digital economy goal.

“Lack of reliable data and of data-backed evidence of positive impact can be a challenge for innovation hubs,’’ he said.

Aderounmu said that digital economy is about global competitiveness and countries like Singapore, UAE, China, Estonia, USA, South Korea are leveraging on the digital economy.

According to him, other countries are also trying to advance their digital capabilities due to the disruptive pressures of the current COVID-19 pandemic that has afflicted the global economy with contraction and recession.

“It is projected that the race to greater digitalisation of world economies will get more frenetic, with the second wave of the pandemic forcing most nations to intensify e-commerce, virtual schooling and remote work.

“This is more imminent as they re-impose national lockdowns and closures of businesses and institutions of learning,’’ Aderounmu said.

Science & Tech

FG launches entrepreneurship centre for digital economy

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Federal Government on Thursday, launched the country’s pioneer National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre to create an atmosphere that would usher in innovation driven culture among citizens.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, performed the ground breaking ceremony of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.

Pantami said the centre was critical for digital economy and would play a huge role in creating value and prosperity among the people.

He assured that the centre would be replicated at least in the six Geo-Political zones of the country, beginning with the pioneer centre in the FCT.

‘‘Digital Innovation and entrepreneurship are globally recognised as two prerequisites for achieving an indigenous digital economy.

“A successful digital innovation and entrepreneurship programme will support us in the development of our digital economy and this is exactly what we want this centre to achieve.

‘‘Today’s event is critical for our journey to digital economy because in digital economy, innovation and entrepreneurship play huge roles in creating value and prosperity. That is why we are investing in this initiative.

‘‘Our journey started in Oct. 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari re-designated and expanded the mandate of our ministry to cover digital economy.

“To sustain and consolidate the growth, we need to ignite innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital space,” he said.

The minister said that COVID-19 had impacted our lives in an unprecedented way, hence the need to leverage on skills and innovation.

Pantami said that in building the centre, the Federal Government was not undermining certificates but trying to redirect citizens toward soft skills which were recently valuable.

He, therefore, enjoined states and the Organised Private Sector to key into the establishment of ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship parks to address unemployment and other social challenges in Nigeria.

He said this had become necessary to complement the present administration’s resolve to diversify national economy, generate employment and wealth for the country.

Pantami who listed benefits of the centre, argued that the economic challenges facing Nigeria provided opportunities for the people to embrace digital platforms for self empowerment.

“President Buhari approved the building of this centre on Nov. 11, 2020, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“Prior to that, I made a detailed presentation to council on the project and successfully answered around 22 questions in the robust debate that followed the presentation.

“The idea received overwhelming support of FEC because of the huge positive impact it can have on the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

Earlier, in his address, the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said the objective of the centre was to serve as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship among both public and private sector organisations and the academia.

Inuwa said it would foster development along with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) Quantum Computing and Smart Energy Solutions to drive ICT.

According to him, it will provide enabling environment for technology startups to accelerate and experience innovations, foster the development of indigenous businesses to become world class service providers. (NAN)