The Minister of Communications, Digital Economy and Innovation, Dr. Olabosun Tijani, has said Nigeria must leverage digital Technologies in other to boost the nation’s economy.
Tijani made this known on Monday while speaking with Heads of Agencies and other stakeholders in the Ministry in Abuja.
The newly appointed minister pledged to consolidate the progress recorded by his predecessor.
“We would build on the gains recorded so far in the Ministry through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry. I think it is always good to also take stock as well. You cannot improve what you do not know. We can’t move forward If you do not assess what we have accomplished.
“The best way to make it effective is to use technology that connects our citizens to the services they want to use in a dignified way. Our goal is not to come up with policies from the public sector, whether it is from this ministry or not, that will put people in pain before they can access government services,” he said.
The Minister said the nation can compete favourably with other countries in the area of digital innovations and global economy, hence the need to leverage the opportunities
“So part of our challenge is how do we connect people to opportunities so that they can build?”This ministry is critical to unlocking opportunities for our people regardless of where they are.
“We are the face of the ministry which means, we have to update and upgrade our skills, ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,”.
The minister while stressing the importance of partnership said, no country can become strong technically without collaboration.
“The ministry can formulate policies and regulations but if we are not working closely with the industry, the things we want to see will never be built to the point where prosperity can come to our nation.
“If we do not collaborate with countries all over the world, we are going to be limited by what is available at the minute in terms of knowledge. We are going to be partnering with the best organisations and institutions in the world.”
He promised to come up with policies and regulations that can protect Nigerians from vices that contradict these technologies and transform the industry.
“At the same time these policies must open up more opportunities for people to actually build it into prosperity” he added.
Agencies under the Ministry represented by officials to welcome the new Minister include; Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and Nigeria Data Bureau Commission (NDPC).
