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The Federal Government has directed the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to come up with the National Cyber Security Research Centre in Nigeria.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami disclosed this at the just ended Digital Nigeria International Conference in Abuja while noting that the centre when completed would actively support Nigeria’s participation in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).
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“We are working every important component of the fourth industrial revolution because we don’t want to be left behind. As at today, at least five African countries are part of the chase group that are chasing the developed countries and we have been displaying this in so many international events,” he added.
While decrying that African missed out in the previous three industrial revolutions, he expressed delight that the Fourth Industrial Revolution would usher in hope for Africa because it is a knowledge based revolution.
He said, “It is because of this we have been very proactive in Nigeria. The Nigerian Startup Act, 2022 is to support our participation actively in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also my directive to NITDA for the renaming of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics from NITDA Academy was to make us proactive in the fourth Industrial Revolution. And recently we have built the National Centre for Emerging technologies under NCC.”
The minister also revealed that the ministry would soon present the Nigeria Data Protection Bill to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). According to him, the bill has been forwarded to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation for review and to give go ahead for its presentation to the FEC.
He said the bill will ensure confidentiality and privacy of Nigerians’ data when it comes to dealing with data and citizens’ information. He said Nigeria is one the countries to have data protection as a subsidiary law but it is now in the process of integrating the subsidiary law to a principal law.
Earlier, the NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said that the government has reviewed the potentials available in the country and had learned from the global community what is happening in other countries and regions and understood that all these prosperity and wealth are not evenly distributed.
“We want to keep the tempo until the end of November, when President Muhammadu Buhari will officially close the digital Nigeria 2022 ceremony,” the NITDA boss said as the Digital Nigeria event came to an end.
While acknowledging that this year’s conference was very massive, he reiterated that there are a lot to learn from it. He noted that the government is a listening government and ready to work with the tech ecosystem to make Nigeria the most vibrant ecosystem in the world.
He said, “We are already leading in Africa, but if we can compete globally, why do we need to settle for Africa? We have all what it takes to be the global talent party, and we have you, the youth, you are the greatest resources of this country. When we talk about digital economy or innovation economy, your greatest resource is not what is lying underneath you, but it is what you have in your brains.”
He advised Nigerians to understand what it takes to make wealth through innovation because it is the only way a nation can be lifted out of poverty.
His words: “We have the brain; we have the government’s political will, and government has provided the enabling environment. What left is for you to use the opportunity; to use the legal framework, to use all what government is doing to complement it. Digital Nigeria is for all of us. Government is just one part of it and you are all critical stakeholders. And with you on board, nothing is impossible for us.”
