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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, today in Abuja, virtually commissioned various digital economy projects across the country to deepen the national agenda for Digital Nigeria.
“I am highly delighted to commission a number of projects executed by the parastatals under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. All the projects are geared towards supporting the development of Nigeria’s Digital Economy for a Digital Nigeria, in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to our ministry,” said Pantami as he formally unveiled the six projects with the support of special guests that include the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna.
“The projects also align with the three focus areas of the federal government, namely economic development, security and anti-corruption. Furthermore, the projects are part of the policies of the ministry that the parastatals are to implement,” added Pantami while strssimg that the “commissioning ceremony will take advantage of technology to virtually showcase and commission [the] projects that reflect the dividends of the sustainable developmental programmes of the administration of Mr President.”
The projects include:
1. Emergency Communications Centre (ECC), Kaduna;
2. Information Technology Hub, University of Lagos;
3. Information Technology Hub, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna;
4. Information Technology Community Centre, Daura, Katsina;
5. Tertiary Institution Knowledge Center, Polytechnic Iwollo, Enugu; and
6. NigComSat Northwest Regional Office, Kaduna.
The minister stressed the increasing need of the country to transit into a digital economy like the rest of the world.
The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria was launched by President Buhari last November 2019 and it is anchored on 8 (eight) pillars that include Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy & Skills; Solid Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Digital Services Development & Promotion; Soft Infrastructure; Digital Society & Emerging Technologies; and Indigenous Content Development & Adoption.
Pantami’s ministry is charged with implementing the 8-pillars.
“The six projects being commissioned today can be mapped to relevant pillars of NDEPS,” said the minister.
