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The Nigerian Government and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have inked a $13 million deal: “Project for Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria” – a comprehensive e-governance initiative expected to run from 2021 to 2026.
The project will cover the full digitalization of all government processes in ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) in a way that should enhance the output of civil servants, said Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami at a ceremony in Abuja to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean government.
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The initiative, sponsored by the Korean Government, and to be implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is the second phase of e-governance support to Nigeria and is expected to be completed by 2026.
The KOICA’s initiative supports Nigeria’s e-Governance Masterplan and is building on the achievement of the first phase of the initiative estimated to have cost the Korean government $8.5 million.
Pantami, while commending the Korean government for their advanced strides in e-Governance, said Nigeria looked to leveraging these achievements in digital service and the transferable skill sets to improve the delivery of government services digitally to citizens.
He said: “The first phase of the project, which lapsed in 2019, was very successful with the establishment of an e-governance training centre.
“Over 1,000 civil servants have benefitted from the training and many of them are at advanced training in the area of e-governance.
He added: “I hope that at the end of the second phase, we will be able to achieve full digitalisation of our activities and processes, particularly in our civil service and federal government institutions.”
According to the Country Director, KOICA, Mr. Woo-Chan Chang, the Korean government sees Nigeria as a partner to progressively bring into the e-Governance sphere.
Chang commended the country’s leadership both for the commitment into promoting digital economy and fostering right policies to engender growth in the ICT sector.
Also, the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Kim Young – Chae commended the inspiring growth of the ICT sector under the Nigerian minister.
His words: “We recognize that last year, the ICT sector in Nigeria recorded the highest growth among other sectors. I want to see Nigeria’s IT sector to continue to grow together with KOICA. Today is a very important day for us to continue to help the Nigerian Government and the people.” the Ambassador said.
Adding:
“The Korean government through KOICA is assisting Nigerian government’s endeavor to digitalise its governance to the Nigerian citizens. So, from 2020 to 2026, KOICA will support the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to implement Nigeria’s e-governance Masterplan.”
