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The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will publicly unveil two of his recent books at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, coordinated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The Forum will take place on Thursday, the 14th of July 2022, at the Sheraton Hotel, Maryland, Lagos.
The first book is titled “Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy” and the foreword was written by the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mr. Houlin Zhao. Mr Zhao has had a long distinguished career at the ITU and has served as the Secretary-General since 2014. The International Telecommunication Union is the oldest UN agency and is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies.
The second book is titled “Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country”, with the foreword written by the President of International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Professor Mike Hinchey. Professor Hinchey is a professor of software engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland and was previously Director of the Software Engineering Laboratory at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States of America. He was the leading graduating student during his undergraduate studies and he had his post-graduate studies at both Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Emerging technologies are playing a vital role in the development of digital economies around the globe. The 2 books of the Honourable Minister emphasize key aspects of emerging technologies, namely datafication and cybersecurity. With respect to datafication, it shows how data- its generation, processing and use play a critical role in determining success in the digital economy. The book on cybersecurity discusses the importance of cybersecurity in protecting data and infrastructure to secure the digital economy of countries. Mr. Zhao and Prof Hinchey, both renowned global ICT personalities will serve as special guests at the public presentation.
The presentation of the books will take place during the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies. Professor Mike Hinchey will deliver the keynote address at the event. Other speakers include Dr. Soglo of Intel, United States of America (USA), Levin Born McCall of Regent Square Group, USA, Engr Richard Ogbuji, Chrema Technologies, Nigeria and other notable speakers.
Signed:
Reuben Muoka Dr. Femi Adeluyi
Director, Public Affairs Technical Assistant (Research & Development)
Nigerian Communications Commission to the Honourable Minister of Communications
Nigeria Identity Management and Digital Economy
July 13, 2022

The Federal Executive Council approved an Enterprise Licensing Agreement for Microsoft Products and the clearing up of C-band Spectrum, in order to accelerate the deployment of 5G services in the country. These took place during the meeting of the Council on the 29th of May, 2022. This followed the presentation of 3 memos by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami).
The Government-wide Enterprise Licensing Agreement for Microsoft products is a software acquisition cost-reduction strategy for government and it will be implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMC&DE). This agreement is part of the Federal Government’s efforts towards keeping the cost of IT projects within sustainable levels.
The Agreement will give the government access to discounted prices and other cost benefits, as well as reduce project duplication across Federal Public Institutions (FPIs). It will also guarantee proper technical support for Microsoft products and services, thereby ensuring protection against cybersecurity threats, which will guarantee availability and reliability of government IT services .
The Enterprise Licensing Agreement will provide a projected savings of a minimum of 35% of Governments current investment in Microsoft Products and Services. This will not only substantially reduce the cost of license procurement for FPIs, it will reduce and simplify licensing complexity, facilitate accounting and cash flow predictability and monitor utilisation and impact of Government investment. The Council directed all FPIs to key into the Agreement in the procurement of Microsoft licenses and services.
Council also approved the request of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to clear part of the C-band spectrum within the country’s telecommunications industry of any encumbrances and migrate the current users on affected spectrum, towards the successful roll-out/deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.
Furthermore, with seven and a half (7.5) years before the end of the lifetime of NigComSat-1R Satellite, operated by Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), which currently operates C-Band services on the 3.4 – 3.9GHz spectrum range, NCC and NIGCOMSAT have come to an agreement to relocate/migrate the operations of NigComSat-1R C Band service to another frequency (Standard C Band) and release its current frequency for immediate deployment of 5G in the country.
The approved memos will accelerate the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), especially the pillars on solid infrastructure (broadband) and service infrastructure (platforms). The Ministry will continue to promote initiatives that will transform Nigeria into a country with a sustainable and thriving digital economy.
Dr Femi Adeluyi
Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
30th of June, 2022

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), had a meeting with Rwanda’s Minister for ICT and Innovation, Her Excellency Paula Ingabire. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which took place in Kigali, Rwanda.
At the meeting, both Ministers discussed the implementation of their similar mandates and commended each other on the strides they have made in the development of the digital economy in both countries. They also explored areas of partnership between Nigeria and Rwanda and they identified areas such as developmental regulation, policy formulation, digital identity and cybersecurity, among other things.
Prof Pantami and Her Excellency Paula Ingabire were joined at the meeting by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria- Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE. Others at the meeting included the Director-General of Rwanda’s National Identification Agency (NIDA), Mukesha Josephine, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Innocent Muhizi.
As two of the leading digital economies in Africa, the Ministers also discussed ways of strengthening partnerships across Africa in order to achieve a vibrant digital economy across the continent.
Dr Femi Adeluyi
Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
28th of June, 2022





The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has appointed the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), as the Chairman of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022. The event will take place at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The appointment was conveyed to the Honourable Minister through a letter from the Secretary-General of the ITU, who noted that Professor Pantami was appointed "in light of his overall commitment to Information and Knowledge Societies and the active role he has played in the WSIS Process" and it followed consultations with various stakeholders. The Forum is to be attended by several high level stakeholders, including Cabinet Ministers from ITU countries.
The WSIS Forum 2022 serves as a key forum for discussing the role of ICTs as a means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with due regard to the global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNGA Resolution A/70/1). The WSIS Forum also provides a platform to track the achievements of WSIS Action Lines in collaboration with the UN Agencies involved and provides information and analysis of the implementation of WSIS Action Lines since 2005.
The WSIS Forum, is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD with the engagement of 24 other United Nations Agencies, including FAO, ILO, ITC, UNDESA, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNHCR, UNODC, UNEP, UPU, UN Tech Bank, WMO, WIPO, WHO, WFP, UN Women and UN Regional Commissions. In a follow up to the UN General Assembly outcomes in 2015 on the Overall Review of the implementation of the WSIS Outcomes that called for a close alignment between the WSIS Process and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the overall theme for this year is ”ICTs for Well-Being, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs”. The Forum aims at enhancing cooperation, partnership, innovation, exchange of experiences and good practices in ICTs for sustainable development.
The appointment of Professor Pantami has given Nigeria, and indeed the African continent, the unique role of coordinating the activities of the WSIS in its 20th year, following the WSIS Phase I meeting that took place in 2003. It is apparent that the world has taken notice of the giant strides of Nigeria’s digital economy under the supervision of the Honourable Minister. Prof Pantami extends his immense gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the constant support he has given the sector.
Dr Femi Adeluyi
Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
9th of May, 2022

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), welcomed the team from Google West Africa at his office on Thursday, 7th of April, 2022. The team was led by the Director of Google West Africa, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor. The team visited the Honourable Minister to give him an update on the activities of Google in Nigeria and affirm their commitment to supporting the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.
The Director commended the Honourable Minister for his efforts that have promoted Nigeria’s Digital Economy and increased its impact on all sectors of the economy. Mrs Ehimuan-Chiazor also informed the Honourable Minister that Google’s Office in Lagos serves all the countries in the West African sub-region. She updated the Minister on Google’s commitment to invest $1billion in Africa over the next 5 years, from October 2021. The investment includes funding for the Equiano subsea cable.
The Equiano cable is expected to enable a five-fold increase in average Internet speeds in Nigeria and create 1.6million jobs. Equiano, whose name was inspired by a Nigerian, is being launched as it lands at different points on the continent, much like a road construction that is launched as construction progresses. According to the Director, Nigeria is a major landing point for the cable and the launch of this major milestone is expected to take place in April 2022.
The Director also informed the Minister of the Google’s support for the tech ecosystem in Nigeria through skills development programs and grants. For example, the Google Startup Accelerator program has benefited 82 startups, including some of the startups that are now the leading unicorns in Africa. About 6 million Nigerians have also benefited from other digital skills initiatives and the target is to reach 10 million Nigerians. About 30,000 citizens have participated in the Africa Developer Program and provision has been made for cash and non-cash grants of over $100 million.
Professor Pantami commended Google for their activities in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He reminded them of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, towards improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The Honourable Minister also assured Google that the Federal Government will continue to promote regulations that support, rather than stifle, development and innovation.
Dr Femi Adeluyi
Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
7th of April, 2022