Chairman of Zinox Group, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, has called for support for the new Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, asserting that he would meet stakeholders’ expectations.
Speaking in Lagos in an interaction with journalists, Ekeh said Tijani had played innovative roles before this time. “Tijani will deliver. He has humility, competence and other attributes. He would listen to people with great ideas to move the sector forward. With his background, I can say the sector cum economy would be data-driven and that would help a lot. The economy may not improve immediately, it could even be more brutal, but from mid-next year, we should have a proper economy running.
“He needs to encourage the mobile network operators (MNOs) on service expansion, especially 5G. The technology needs to spread fast to other parts of the country like other technologies,” he said.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, also vouched for the minister to deliver on the job.
Agbata said that based on so many things Tijani had done in the past before his appointment, there is hope that he will even do more now that he’s in charge of the ministry.
Setting an agenda for the minister, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Advisor and Founder, Jidaw.com, Jide Awe, said priority should be given to innovation, saying instead of continuing with the outdated economic model of resource extraction, greater emphasis is needed on innovation.
Awe said under the new leadership, Nigeria must create an environment that specifically attracts young people and empowers them in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. He said entrepreneurs and startups should be encouraged to harness technology to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing the country – including healthcare, education, transportation, and agriculture.
“To promote innovation, it is crucial that we implement the Nigeria Startup Act. Its implementation can facilitate the success of numerous startups while also attracting increased investment to the technology sector,” he stated.
He said the expansion of broadband penetration is essential for constructing an inclusive digital economy that benefits all, adding that it’s imperative to address the internal digital divide.
Awe said the presently unserved and underserved areas should be integrated into the digital revolution. The faithful implementation of the National Broadband Plan is therefore a necessity.
“When enhancing infrastructure, Nigeria must notably improve the quality of service and ensure the security of infrastructure up to the desired standards of a dynamic digital economy. In this context, the challenges of right-of-way charges, multiple taxation, insecurity of telecom infrastructure, and bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by telecom operators should be addressed.
“The government must also exhibit leadership to ensure that digital government projects encompass more than just technology. The emphasis should be citizen-centric, prioritizing enhancements in public service delivery, public sector administration, accountability and citizen’s quality of life,” he stated.
He reminded us that digital literacy and 21st-century skills, including critical thinking and communication, are not a luxury but a necessity for everyone in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is propelled by emerging technologies, saying both formal and informal education sectors play a crucial role in addressing this concern.
The Jidaw.com boss said that the promotion of innovation within the tech sector entails investing in and supporting education and research and development. He said it’s imperative to invest in STEM education to nurture this pool of talent and cultivate a skilled workforce for the tech sector.
“Cybersecurity and data protection should hold a prominent position on the agenda. As digital adoption expands, so do the cybersecurity threats. Public awareness needs to be heightened, and cybersecurity must be an integral aspect of digital literacy and all forms of digital education. Enhancing the cybersecurity culture and implementing and updating cybersecurity policies and strategies are crucial.
“With the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, progress has been made in data protection. It is imperative to empower the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to fulfill its mandate and elevate the standards of data protection and privacy in the country to meet globally acceptable norms,” Awe stated.
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