The Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has reiterated the need to take the issue of E-Government from theoretical to practical approach by government officials in order to ensure strategy implementation of E-Government in line with the next level agenda of Mr. President and the administration. 

He stated this during a meeting with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) led by its Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. 

The Minister said that the Federal Government has recognized the support, collaboration and trainings facilitated for many public servants in Nigeria by KOICA, noting that Government is ready to continue to partner and work with them to move the E-Government implementation to the next level. In his words, “We must sit down and take the issue of E-Government from theoretical to practical approach. I am glad we already have E-Government Master Plan in place but I always challenge my colleagues that producing master plan, blue print or strategies is not enough until we do what we can to translate it into action”. 

He said, “If a document is produced and documented in our place without implementation, the aims would have been defeated because the strategy is just theoretical, execution of that theory is where our expertise needs to be displayed”.  Pantami said living in theoretical form would not solve the problem but to make sure government officials put a strategy in place to implement the master plan religiously and ensure that the country reaps the expected result for its socio-economic development, by creating digital jobs. We want to ensure that all the agencies under the Ministry play significant roles in the area of E-Government implementation”, He added. 

The Minister thanked the KOICA team for the provision of E-Government Training Centre at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) and assured them that government will ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies do partake in the training. 

Earlier, the KOICA team led by its Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang pointed out that the team has been collaborating with the Ministry to develop E-Government in Nigeria and that it has engaged with many other stakeholders such as the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Civil Society Organization (CSO) and others for effective implementation of the E-Government in Nigeria. 

In conclusion, he invited the Honourable Minister to the handing over of the E-Government Training Centre and urged the Ministry on its part to come up with operational plans that would involve MDAs and States in the country.

Source: Press Unit, Ministry of Communications

The Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has reiterated that the Ministry has the mandate to coordinate Information Communication Technology activities in Nigeria. 

He stated this during his meeting with the Deputy Managing Director, Head of Public Sector, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Zhauang at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. 

The Minister on behalf of the Federal Government commended the Huawei Technologies on their Community Social Responsibilities (CSR) in ICT capacity building, noting that the Ministry has been mandated to coordinate ICT activities in the country, give direction and ensure that agencies under the supervision of the Ministry actively participate in the process. 

Pantami assured Huawei Technologies that the Ministry doors are open and that it would be on the same page with them on issues relating to ICT development in Nigeria. He therefore urged them to continue the collaboration with the Ministry and to increase their Community Social Responsibilities (CSR). 

Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Head of Public Sector, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Zhauang congratulated the Minister and also reiterated the assurance that Huawei Technologies would collaborate further with the Ministry in ICT infrastructure deployment, calibration and training. According to him, “we look forward to more opportunities and cooperation in ICT and we are willing to explore more areas as well as continue with our CSR activities in the country”. 

In a related development, the Minister of Communications, Dr. Ibrahim (Pantami) while receiving the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Harriet Thompson stated that by the end of 2022, the Ministry planned to achieve a lot in the area of E-Government, particularly in the Federal institutions in line with the E-Government Master Plan.  “I have been encouraging my colleagues to make them understand that it is not about blue print or strategy development, it is most importantly about implementation. I do not have passion of coming up with crazy ideas that would be documented theoretically and within a short time begin to review it without substantial implementation. Hence, I have instructed the Director, E-Government to make sure he reviews the document every day and ensure that we play our roles effectively”. 

He also stated that agencies under the supervision of the Ministry have been directed to play their roles and ensure that much is achieved in the area of E-Government implementation. He stressed that we cannot afford to fail and betray Mr. President’s directive in the ICT sector. 

Pantami revealed that the Ministry would be having retreat soon.  “At that gathering, we would set our priorities right based on the directive government has given us. We would also look at the plan the British High Commissioner has proposed and we would get back to her on where the British Commission could key in to support us (the Ministry) in delivering our mandate”. 

In her remarks, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Harriet Thompson said that Britain is willing to support Nigeria to achieve its potentials in creating jobs, attracting investment and ICT development in the country. 

She informed the Minister of the forth coming Africa Investment Summit in London, United Kingdom and wants Nigeria to be part of the summit to showcase its potentials noting that the cooperation between British and Nigeria Private Sector is very strong. 

According to Ms. Thompson, “This is a mile stone on our part towards achieving our ambition of becoming number one G7 investor in the Africa continent”.

Source: Press Unit, Ministry of Communications

The Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has set targets for the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the parastatals under the Ministry as well as the Directors of the Ministry.  He urged them to significantly improve the level of their performance to reflect the Next Level paradigm of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.  

He made this known during his extensive meetings with and briefings by the various CEOs, which took place over a period of 1 week at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. The Minister assured the CEOs of the Federal Government’s support as they discharge their duties and reminded them of his commitment to sanction any parastatal that fails to step up its performance.  

The CEOs were given numerous targets, amongst which are some of the following short-term targets:

1.     Galaxy Backbone Plc:

1. To improve the reach and coverage of its services in the public sector; and
2. To significantly improve the quality of services provided.

2.     Nigerian Communications Commission:

1. To bring to an end the issue of sales of pre-registered, unregistered and partially-registered SIM cards, especially as this can help in reducing numerous security challenges the nation faces; and
2. To stem the tide of illegal deduction of the data of subscribers and work towards the downward review of the cost of data; and
3. To ensure compliance with the maximum 2% Call Drop Rate directive to telecom operators.

3.     Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited:

1. To significantly improve its level of visibility across the country; and
2. To ensure great improvement in the quality of its services.

4.    Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST):

1. To ensure an appreciable improvement in the efficiency of its letter and parcel delivery service; and
2. To increase the effective area of its coverage in the country.

5.    National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA):

1. To have a greater level of focus on increasing local content development and patronage in the hardware and software sub-sectors; and
2. To strengthen the execution of its IT project clearance mandate to capture more projects by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); and
3. To ensure the promotion and adoption of the Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF) by the MDAs.

6.   Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF):

1. To ensure there is a sustainability model in place for all the projects deployed;
2. To prepare plan to reduce the access gaps in the rural, unserved and underserved areas. 

Pantami emphasized the Ministry’s roles of supervision and provision of broad policies for all the parastatals within the Ministry.  He informed the CEOs that their performance would be assessed on a monthly basis. He asked them to be passionate, hardworking and ensure that they exhibit high level of integrity in the discharge of their duties. He urged them to follow due process in their activities as championed by the President and also directed them to communicate these values and targets to their staff.

The Honorable Minister encouraged synergy, unity and the forging of a harmonious inter-Agency relationship among the parastatals.  He also assured them of his total commitment to ensuring that no obstacle stands in the way of the successful execution of their mandates.

Source: Press Unit, Federal Ministry of Communications

The newly inaugurated Minister of Communications, Dr. Ali Isa Pantami has charged Directors, Heads of Parastatals and staff under the Ministry to uphold the tenets of team spirit in the discharge of their duties in order to achieve the Ministry’s mandate under the current administration.

He stated this during his assumption of duty at the Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja.

The Minister pointed out that Permanent Secretary and himself cannot deliver the mandate of the Ministry alone and there is the need for cooperation. 

In his words, “the responsibility is not mine alone and I believe the Permanent Secretary and I cannot do it alone. We must come together as brothers and sisters to deliver our mandate”.

He said, “if we do what is right history would be very kind to us, if we betray the trust given to us definitely history is not going to be kind to us, because of this my message to everyone seated here, is to sit properly and ensure that the work is done (the work must be done), he stressed. 

Pantami reiterated that, the Ministry and its agencies must work as a team and he would not allow any division to take place. “We must be united because all of us are Nigerians and Nigerians must be treated equally.” He stated.

He urged the agencies to work with the mandate that established them and noted the role the Ministry should play as supervisory Ministry adding that each and everyone in the Ministry would be motivated to deliver on the mandate.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus stated that the Ministry can help government to pull out 50 million people out of 100 million people living below the poverty line within 36 months and to impact on the lives of those living in Nigerian villages.

According to him, “we are doing away with physical files and adopting electronic files by the end of this October, the Ministry would no longer be carrying physical files. Any letters coming to the Ministry would be scan and responded to within 48 hours; this will serve as example for other Ministries to follow”.

Source: Press Unit, Federal Ministry of Communications

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus has revealed that the Ministry would adopt electronic management systems in work place to create higher level of transparency and efficiency in its operations and service delivery.

He stated this recently, during the inauguration of the Ministerial SERVICOM Committee and Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit by the National Coordinator (SERVICOM), Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli and representative of Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Olayinka Aiyebayo respectively at the Ministry’s conference room in Abuja. 

Addressing the management and the committee members, the Permanent Secretary pointed out that civil servants must deliver satisfactory service so that the citizens can feel the impact of service delivery. 

 He stated that the period of hiding files would be over soonest because the Ministry has concluded plans to put files into electronic forms to end the era of carrying papers and files about. Istifanus added.

According to him, “The Ministry of Communications has already started work on the electronic management system and I believe that by the time we are done, there is no way any staff can leave anything on his/her table more than 24 hours”.   

He added, “I am willing to support all the staff in providing them with the required tools including computers, as the ministry has concluded plans to provide computers, desktops, and laptops for staff which will enable the SERVICOM officers to also have computers for the effective delivery of their duties and report back to the management for necessary action”.

Istifanus said, “As you are being inaugurated, please if you see anything tell me if you would not tell me, tell them (ICPC) so that they can send their people to come and harass us. You know by harassing us we will then be more careful at doing things. Do not be afraid of telling the truth, but do not tell the truth because you have not been given your share”. 

In her remarks, the National Coordinator, (SERVICOM), Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli said that Servicom is an initiative of the Federal Government which means service compact with all Nigerians, and as such Servicom by this inauguration is set to position her foot soldiers in the Federal Ministry of Communications to monitor the quality of services rendered to the public by the ministry and to ensure set service standards are met.

According to her, “as a Ministry that regulates, there is the need to begin to see those regulatory standard impacts positively on lives of Nigerians. Servicom wants to see the Ministry of Communications stand out as a pacesetter to other Ministries through effective, efficient and quality service delivery as a technology-based Ministry”. 

In a related event, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, represented by Mr. Olayinka Aiyebayo during the inauguration of the Ministerial Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry urged the newly inaugurated committee to serves as in-house check mechanism in identifying lapses in operational systems of public organizations and seeks to establish process that are transparent, accountable and free of unethical practices.

In his words “the ACTU is not meant to displace or challenge the authority of management in running the affairs of the organization. Rather it is to compliment the effort of the management”.

Source: Press Unit, Ministry of Communications

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus has pointed out that Open data enhances transparency in governance and this can help mobilize citizens to participate in governance positively.

He stated this during Nigeria Open Data Conference for the North West Zone which has the theme, ‘Harnessing Public Data Assets for Economic Recovery and Growth’ organized by the Ministry of Communications at the Tahir Guest Palace, Kano State.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry has developed a draft Open Data Policy and Action Plan that will enhance the releases of certain Data Assets across different categories of economic sectors in the country.

In his words “Open Data is an integral part of the global data revolution. It is a programme through which countries manage their data assets as a national resource to create an innovative economy for jobs, service delivery and to promote economic growth. This, they do by making available, through online platform non-sensitive data to citizens and other stakeholders in reusable, machine-readable formats for planning and economic decision making”.

 He said in view of the dwindling revenues from Oil and Gas accruing to the nation, there is the need for an alternative revenue base for achieving the main policy thrusts of Government and Open Data Initiative offers this new opportunity. 

Istifanus stated that his Ministry, in its efforts towards promoting Open Data Economy, started holding stakeholders’ sensitization workshops and have established the Open Data Working Group saddled with the responsibility of primary governance of this new initiative.

“Our efforts so far have yielded some results as many data companies and civil society groups are keying into the Open Data ecosystem and urged stakeholders present to join the Ministry invalidating the draft Open Data Policy and Action Plan”. He stressed.

In his presentation, Managing Consultant, PacePact Consulting Limited, Mr. John Eweama stated that data must be in open format to enable citizens to access and utilized for innovation by entrepreneurs for maximum benefit to the citizens and the economy.

In her contribution, Chindima IIechukwu from the Attorney General of the Federation Office said that Open Government Partnership (OGP) provides opportunity for government and citizens to jointly made policy for the good of the nation.

She added that the key component of the OGP are access to information, Anti-corruption, citizen’s engagement and transparency which would enable citizens to subject government policy to public scrutiny.

Earlier, the Director (ICT), Ahmed Musa Jubril, who represented the Kano State Commissioner for Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, stated the initiative would open up non-sensitive public data assets to promote a new ICT- powered data industry.

He added that Open Data operations is expected to reduce poverty through employment creation as well as attract investment to the economy of the nation.

Source: Press Unit, Ministry of Communications

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus has inaugurated the National Technical Working Group on Mobile Big Data Analytics in line with the National Council on Communications Technology 2017 approval for the development and use of mobile position data for statistics and decision making by the public and private sector.

The inauguration was performed by the Permanent Secretary of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus on behalf of the Federal Government at the OSGF Conference Hall, Federal Secretariat Abuja.

He pointed out that National Mobile Big Data Analytical Program will promote innovation and modernization of national statistical systems, promote the use of data and analytics by government agencies and increase opportunities for a new data science service and jobs for Nigeria youth.

In his words, “the data deluge resulting in human activities, Internet of Things (IoT) can be transformed into actionable data that is capable of improving the quality of lives and conditions of society as a whole”.

Istifanus said there were other data sources such as scanner data, social media data, and satellite imagery that was proven to have a high capacity to enhance the quality of decision making across many sectors to further enhance social and economic indicators as well as accelerate the attainment Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The Permanent Secretary stated that Federal Government is working tirelessly through the Ministry of Communications to exploit new opportunities from big data by identifying new data sources available in the Nigeria environment and validating new methods for their use by statistical organizations and other stakeholders.

In his presentation, the Programme Consultant, Mr. Bernard Ewah stated that the essence of the mobile big data analytics is to build Nigeria’s data economy.

He added that Mobile big data analytics will be achieved by using Keoun Data Processing Technology to produce new statistics for the government and other agencies.

According to him, the National Working Group (TWG) has been Sub-Grouped into four (4) namely Policy and Regulations, Capacity Building, and Sensitization, Data Applicability and Infrastructure and Commercial Models.

Mr. Ewah said that Abuja will be used for the Pilot Phase. He noted that Nigeria with a very high population, there is a need to generate data to boost efficiency and development.

Source: Press Unit, Ministry of Communications

The open data portal is available to ensure citizens have access to  usable ,non- confidential government data .this is to ensure transparency ,encourage research and collaboration.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OPEN DATA PORTAL

The Federal Ministry of Communications is organizing the National Retreat themed Social Media for Good Governance on the 4th & 5th December 2018 by 9 am at NAF Conference Center & Suites. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

For more information contact 

Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola

Special Assistant (New Media)
To Honourable Minister of Communications

Nigeria E-Government Master Plan is a roadmap for the adoption of e-Government best practices, by all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

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Click to Download Hon. Minister's Speech at Nigeria e-Government Master Plan Launch

Click to Download Presentations at Nigeria e-Government Master Plan Launch