Super User

EUROPEAN UNION TO PARTNER WITH NIGERIA’s DIGITAL ECONOMY

Written by Super User February 14, 2022

The European Union (EU) under its Gateway Initiative has disclosed plans to invest about Eight Hundred and Twenty Million Euros in the Nigerian Digital Economy sector over the next three years. This disclosure was made today Monday, 14th February 2022 by the Executive Vice President of the Union Her Excellency, Margrethe Vestager during a working visit to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) at the Digital Economy Complex in Abuja.

Mrs Vestager while extolling the exemplary leadership style of the Minister, noted that this, and the need for stronger partnerships has brought global attention to the country’s Digital Economy sector. She enumerated the Union’s intervention in the sector to include; Digital Infrastructure Investments, Digitalisation of Public Services, Digital Entreprenuership, Digital Skills and Digital Governance.

“Nigeria has immense potential for digitalization and with a combination of One Hundred and Sixty Million Euros in grants and Six Hundred and Sixty Million Euros in loans, the European Union aims to comprehensively support Nigeria’s digitalization strategy” she emphasized.

In his reponse, Professor Pantami while expressing his delight and appreciation for the intervention reiterated the Federal Government’s willingness to partner with the European Union.

“Africa has always looked up to Europe in the area of technological advancements and this partnership is a welcome development that will project the digitalization aspirations of our country. Professor Pantami was particular about digital entrepreneurship and the immense impact it will bring to bear on the nation’s economy. “This partnership with regards to digital entrepreneurship, will address the challenge of unemployment and unemployability alongside the Nigeria Startup Bill which also aims to address a myriad of issues within the ecosystem.” The Minister further informed the delegation that Nigeria hopes to achieve the paperless office by the year 2030 and it is on track, taking into cognizance the rate at which public institutions are embracing the digital economy drive.

The Europen Union intervention is in alignment with the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), a digital roadmap initiated and championed by Professor Pantami towards the economic digitalization drive of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).

Uwa Suleiman (Mrs)
Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister
14th February 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPROVES THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION BUREAU (NDPB) AND APPOINTS DR OLATUNJI AS THE PIONEER NATIONAL COMMISSIONER

Written by Super User February 03, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB). This followed a request made by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami). The NDPB has been established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.

The successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the datafication of our society. This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy.

Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as a subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy. The Bureau will be responsible for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy.

President Buhari also approves the recommendation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Pantami, for Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau. Dr. Olatunji hails from Ekiti State and, at the time of his appointment, was the Director of the eGovernment Development and Regulations Department at NITDA. The appointment takes effect immediately.

Mrs Uwa Suleiman
Spokesperson to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
4^th February, 2022

PANTAMI UNVEILS NIPOST DIGITAL PROJECTS

Written by Super User January 27, 2022

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As part of the ongoing effort to reposition Nigeria's Postal Sector to be effective and efficient in service delivery to Nigerians, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami today launched and unveiled 3 key projects of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), a parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry.

The innovative projects launched and unveiled by the Minister include; NIPOST Debit Card, Agency Banking Platform and the NIPOST Logistics Vehicles.

The official launch and unveiling was held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Abuja.

Source: Mr Yusuf Abubakar, Personal Assistant (New Media) to The Honourable Minister

27th January 2022

FIFTH GENERATION NETWORK WILL AID SECURITY INSTITUTIONS -Pantami

Written by Super User January 25, 2022

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The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has said that the deployment of fifth Generation (5G) network will play a vital role in improving the security situation in the country. He made this remark during his address at the launch of the National Policy on Fifth Generation Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today Tuesday 25th January 2022.

The Minister in his presentation to the President, emphasized that “5G network is a viable platform for security institutions to leverage on, in tackling the security challenges that have bedeviled the country, by harnessing the potential of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Robotics etc. which explore real time information for maximum efficiency.” He further disclosed that the “5G Network will enhance transparency and economic development as its potential for job creation is unprecedented.”

Professor Pantami who expressed gratitude to the President for the immense support enjoyed by the Digital Economy sector, also disclosed that the National Policy on 5G will achieve numerous goals, including the security of the ecosystem and the protection of data, ensuring that international best practice and globally accepted standards and specifications are entrenched in Nigeria’s ecosystem.

The formal launch of the 5G Network in Nigeria today is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to develop a thriving digital economy. Recall that the National Policy on 5G Networks was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the 8th of September 2021 after a series of trials and multi stakeholder engagements eliminated perceived health risks.

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister

25th January 2022

PANTAMI RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL COMMENDATION AS PRESIDENT BUHARI DIRECTS SECURITY INSTITUTIONS TO LEVERAGE ON THE FIFTH GENERATION PLATFORM

Written by Super User January 25, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR today, Tuesday 25th January 2022, commended the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) for “delivering the mandate for a digital Nigeria”. The President was speaking at the launching of the Fifth Generation (5G) Network for a digital Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Buhari who expressed his satisfaction with the exemplary leadership and unprecedented developments Professor Pantami has brought to bear on the digital economy sector as well as the country at large, said “I applaud the commitment and consistency of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, towards the delivery of the mandate of developing Nigeria’s digital economy. The progress has been unprecedented and truly commendable”. He further emphasized that the Digital Economy sector has had a significant impact on the nation’s economy through its development and implementation of impactful policies.

President Buhari enumerated some of the sector’s contributions to include; the fastest growing sector in 2020, recording double-digit growth rates of 14.70% and 12.90% respectively, a 17.92% contribution to the national GDP, the prime role in enabling our economy swiftly exit the pandemic-triggered recession, among others.

The president reiterated that 5G technologies can support every sector by enhancing connectivity, healthcare, education, foster smart cities, boost agriculture and support security institutions with real time information. “To this end, I hereby direct all the security institutions to immediately leverage 5G when deployed, in order to beef up security in the country and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is to oversee a multi-stakeholder implementation of the policy”

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister

25th January 2022

WE ARE CHAMPIONING A PARADIGM SHIFT THAT EMPHASIZES SKILLS– Pantami

Written by Super User January 20, 2022

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The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today Thursday, 20th January 2022 reiterated government’s commitment to support and promote the development of digital skills among its citizens through partnerships and collaborations with relevant global institutions.

Professor Pantami was speaking as the Special Guest of Honour during a virtual workshop organized by the World Bank on Digital Skills Roadmap. The Minister remarked that “we are championing a paradigm shift with emphasis on skills, particularly digital skills over merely having degrees without skills. A Digital Economy cannot be developed in silos and that is why the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has entered into mutually beneficial partnerships with global technology giants and institutions in order to empower our citizens, with the requisite skills to become employers, rather than employees in the long run”. The Minister also disclosed that over 500,000 Nigerians have so far benefitted from digital skills empowerment programmes at various levels, initiated and driven by the Ministry and the parastatals under its purview.

The collaboration between the two institutions will provide technical assistance to the Nigerian Government to advance its quest for digital skills as captured in the second pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) document. It will be recalled that the World Bank has been in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, in the development of Nigeria’s digital economy since President Muhammadu Buhari launched the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) document in November of 2019.

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson To The Honourable Minister

20th January 2022

PANTAMI PAYS SUPERVISORY VISIT TO NIGCOMSAT

Written by Super User January 17, 2022

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In a bid to deepen the use of satellite communications in Nigeria for National Development, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) pays a supervisory visit to the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), a parastatal under the supervision of the Ministry.

The working visit was aimed at having an onsite assessment of the facilities of NIGCOMSAT and also provide the Minister an opportunity to interact with the management and staff of the Nigerian own satellite company.

The official visit was also part of the move to enhance the efficiency of NIGCOMSAT and consolidate its business model.

During the visit, Minister Pantami did a technical tour of the facilities of the satellite company.

NIGCOMSAT is empowered by law to operate the Nigerian Communications Satellite Systems.

Source: Mr Yusuf Abubakar, Personal Assistant (New Media) to The Honourable Minister

17th January 2022

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES 6000 DIGITAL TABLETS AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF REGULATORY SYSTEMS

Written by Super User December 08, 2021

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The Federal Executive Council approved the implementation of the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) and the deployment of a regulatory system to support the telecommunications industry at its meeting on the 8th of December, 2021.

This followed the presentation of memos by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami). The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, Prof Sahalu Junaidu and the Director of Financial Services of NCC, Mr. Yakubu Gontor.

The ADAPTI is aimed at bridging the digital gaps that exist in the academia by promoting the practical application of technology in research, teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. The approved programme will include the distribution of 6,000 digital tablets and is aimed at:

1. Encouraging the appreciation and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the country, particularly in tertiary institutions;

2. Providing access to ICT tools;

3. Promoting economic empowerment through self-development; and

4. Stimulating demand for products and services in the telecommunication sector.

The ADAPTI will be implemented by NCC and it aligns with a number of pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, including the pillars on Digital literacy and Skills, Solid Infrastructure, Digital Services Development and Promotion, Digital Society and Emerging Technologies and Indigenous Content Development and Adoption.

The Federal Executive Council also approved the deployment of regulatory systems to monitor, detect and block SIMBox and Call Masking Traffic within the country’s telecommunications industry. These hardware devices are of high-end configurations/specifications meant to ensure seamless optimal functionality, bearing in mind the volume of data inflow from the four (4) major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The derivable benefits of the systems include the:

1. Implementation of a system to continuously monitor incidences of SIMBOXING in the industry;

2. Detection of incidences of SIMBOXING in the entire MNO networks, round the clock, in near real time or real time preferably and reporting the same in applicable formats;

3. Effective blocking of calls from SIMBOXES while also blocking the SIMs being used for the activity across all operators;

4. Implementation of a Call Masking/Calling Line Identification (CLI) Spoofing System to continuously monitor incidences of Call Masking/CLI Spoofing in the industry;

5. Detection of incidences of Call Masking in the entire MNO networks, round the clock, in near real time or real time preferably and reporting the same in applicable formats; and

6. Proactive blocking of Masked/Spoofed CLI calls at the origination stage to prevent successful call routing to the called subscriber.

The use of SIMBoxing and Call Masking has posed a challenge in meeting the critical security information needs of the telecommunications industry. The deployment of these systems will address the challenge. The deployment is also in alignment with the Soft Infrastructure pillar of NDEPS.

The Honourable Minister, Ministry and the telecommunications ecosystem are grateful for the tremendous support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The Ministry will continue to position Nigeria to leverage technology in order to transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy.

Dr Femi Adeluyi

Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

8th December, 2021

PRES. BUHARI, PANTAMI, OTHERS ATTEND DUBAI EXPO 2020

Written by Super User December 04, 2021

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His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the global community of the Federal Government's determination and readiness to partner with investors in critical sectors of Nigeria's economy.

Mr. President gave this assurance while making his remarks during Nigeria's special day at the EXPO 2020 taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".

The Nigerian digital economy sector has experienced significant growth in the last few years as a result of the deliberate reforms that have been championed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

Nigeria’s ICT sector recorded an unprecedented 17.92% contribution in the second quarter of 2021 (Q2 2021) – its highest ever contribution to the country’s GDP). This is according to the 2nd Quarter 2021 GDP Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Source: Mr Yusuf Abubakar, Personal Assistant (New Media) to The Honourable Minister

4th December 2021

DATA PROTECTION IS CONSTITUTIONAL IN NIGERIA, PANTAMI TELLS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY MINISTERS

Written by Super User December 01, 2021

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Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today, 30th November 2021, informed the forum of Ministers attending the Future Tech Forum in London, that the protection of citizens data in the country is not just a secondary legislation but a constitutional requirement.

The Minister who addressed his global counterparts at a forum titled; THE FUTURE OF TRUST IN DATA AS A FORCE FOR GOOD, disclosed that the Nigeria Data Protection regulation (NDPR) 2019 is in full effect to build trust between the government and the governed, with non-compliance attractinga stiff penalties. ’Nigeria already has some policies in place to ensure the protection of citizens data and to also build trust between government and citizens. There is also a subsidiary legislation called the guidelines for processing personal data which gives impetus to the NDPR and assurance of confidentiality to citizens. Thirdly, government also invested in creating awareness among the citizenry to enable understanding of both the regulation and government’s willingness to adhere to the dictates of law regarding confidentiality”

Professor Pantami further disclosed that prior to the NDPR of 2019, the Cyber crimes Act of 2015, provides for “lawful intercept which is only effected when a security institution establishes a Prima Facie case of a crime, otherwise, the confidentiality of citizens communications and correspondences are guaranteed. The Federal Government of Nigeria has further engaged the services of Data Protection Compliance officers (DPCOs) to further create awareness and serve as middlemen between the government and aggrieved citizens in addressing breaches where they may occur. The Minister also noted that data collection played a significant role in aiding government’s proactiveness in curtailing and managing the COVID 19 challenge in Nigeria.

In attendance were the sector ministers from the United States of America (USA), China, Korea, Kenya, Japan, Sweden, Senegal, the European Union, Canada, Singapore to mention but a few.

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister

30th November 2021