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Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications has been renamed to become ‘Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’ as part of a new strategy to make the ministry reflects the dynamics of the industry and achieve government’s policy thrust to enable a digital economy.
With the name change, the ministry now carries a more expansive mandate enabling it to play a stronger role in Nigeria’s increasingly digitalized economy with ICT now contributing more than 13% to the country’s GDP.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Philomena Oshodin, states:
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, has granted the prayers of the Honourable Minister of Communications Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami properly position and empower the Ministry to fulfill his Digital Economy objectives. The Ministry which supervises the ICT Sector has been renamed The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to further expand its mandate to capture the goals of digitalization of the Nigerian economy in line with the Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP), one of the key agenda of the present administration.
“According to the Honourable Minister, the former name was not only limiting in pursuing the objectives of a digital economy, but obsolete as it did not reflect the trends as emphasized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). ICT contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 13.85% in the second quarter of 2019. The change of nomenclature will propel the Ministry to reposition its strategic objectives as laid out in the priority areas of this administration while accelerating growth and social inclusion.
“Dr. Pantami cited examples of global and African economies like Scotland, Thailand, Tunisia, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso among others who have adopted deliberate strategies and created Ministries of Digital Economy in line with global best practice, and especially the European Union which has a commissioner for Digital Economy.
“In a letter containing his approval, the President noted that the request is in line with global best practice which will further reflect the priorities of his administration. The approved name has been announced and adopted by the Federal Executive Council today, 23rd October 2019.”
The Goodluck Jonathan government had renamed the ministry as Information Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry before it was reverted back to just Ministry of Communication in 2015 by the Buhari’s government.
With the new name change, government appears to have bought into the argument of a ministry with a name and portfolio that reflect the global industry trends as championed by Pantami who now heads the ministry.
