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

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today, 30th November 2021 while addressing the Forum of technology ministers at the Future Tech Forum in London, called for a global approach to tackling the menace of cybercrime as the need for datafication takes the lead among global economies.

 

Addressing his counterparts on THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET: TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES, Professor Pantami using copious illustrations noted that “the need for the collection of data is increasing daily and will continue to do so at a significant pace. According to research, from the dawn of civilisation to the early 200s, only five exabytes of data was collected. Today however, approximately 2.5 exabytes of data is collected within 24 hours. By implication, the amount of data generated and collected within 48 hours today, is the same as that which was generated and collected over five thousand years before. Again, research by the International Data Corporation has indicated that in the next four years, 41.6 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices could be connected and inter connected and these devices are expected to generated around 79.6 billion petabytes of data”

 

Going by these figures, Professor Pantami emphasised that datafication is on a significant rise and will continue to do so which is why there is the need for governments to prioritise the protection and judicious use of data. This is he further noted, motivated him to author THE DATAFICATION OF SOCIETY TO FOSTER AN INTERNET ECONOMY. “Datafication is inevitable. Therefore, we must place the same importance on cybersecurity especially considering that a new malware is released every 4.6 seconds globally to compromise the cyber space and inevitably, generated data. There is a clear indication that in the wake of the pandemic, the rate of cyber crime increased significantly due to an increased online presence. It is therefore necessary to give the same emphasis, priority and preference to the issue of cyber security”.

 

He advocated the need for an international approach to cybersecurity as against the existing regional or national approach.,noting that “with cloud computing and cloud devices, national or regional regulation of data could be less relevant because as obtains in many situations, data may not be domiciled within a sovereign nation therefore border restrictions do not apply and are not respected’

 

 

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister

30th November 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is currently leading the Nigerian delegation at the on going Future Tech Forum holding in the United Kingdom, London. The two day event holding at the Science Museum in London is a melting pot of ideas on global digitalisation. The Forum seeks to address issues ranging from health tech innovations, building blocks in digital regulation, infrastructure, climate and Artificial Intelligence among others.

 

Professor Pantami will be joining ministers of digital economies from other countries at the Ministerial roundtable on Tuesday, 30th November 2021 to deliberate on issues related to the Future of Trust in Data as a force for good, Future of the Internet; Trends and opportunities, governance challenge and keeping pace with Tech in Governance Frameworks.

 

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is scheduled to meet with global industry leaders in both the public and private sectors during the event. The Nigerian delegation at the event include; Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mallam Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi (CCIE), Executive Secretary Universal Services Provision Fund (USPF), Mallam Ayuba Shuaibu, Managing Director Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Dr Abimbola Alale, Dr Amina Sambo Magaji, SA Special Duties Dr Kalli Zannah and Spokesperson to the Minister, Uwa Suleiman.

 

 

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson To The Honourable Minister

29th November 2021

Once again, the effort of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) in contribution to the growth of Nigeria's educational sector and also positioning the digital economy sector on the path of sustainable National Development has been recognized as the Minister, Prof. Pantami was conferred with an Honorary Fellowship Award by the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe during the combined 6th to 35th convocation ceremony held today.

 

Minister Pantami doubles as both a Professor of Cybersecurity at the Federal University of Technology Owerri and a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Within the last two years, Prof. Pantami has served as a resource person at the National War College, Nigerian Army Resource Centre. Similarly, the Minister has delivered several convocation lectures at several public and private higher institutions of learning, i.e Federal University of Technology Minna, Nile University of Nigeria, Federal University Kashere, among others.

 

Under the leadership of Pantami, Digital Literacy and Skills has been given a top priority as the Minister has supervised the deployment of several educational intervention projects in all 36 states of the Federation including the FCT.

 

Also, under the visionary leadership of Prof. Pantami, the digital economy sector has so far established over 1,670 ICT centres and formulated 16 National policies which are aimed at enhancing digital literacy and skills, effective regulations, digital transformation, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, promotion and patronage of indigenous content, research in the field of emerging technologies, among others.

 

Likewise, under the reign of Pantami, ICT has become a major player in the GDP of Nigeria, contributing an unprecedented 17.92% in the second quarter 2021 (Q2 2021) – its highest ever contribution to the country’s GDP according to the 2nd Quarter 2021 GDP Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

 

It is on record that the proactive leadership provided by Minister Pantami where he congregated critical stakeholders to come up with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025 brought about the unprecedented increase in Broadband Penetration at 45.07%, at the end of the year 2020, a massive jump from about 33% in August 2019 when the Minister took over the responsibility to supervise the sector. This effort has simplified research and learning and brought about an increase in social-economic development.

 

Prof. Pantami has also received a special commendation from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari over the landmark achievements of the digital economy sector under his stewardship and enrollment of over 12 million Nigerians into the National Identity Database within 6 months.

 

On May 6th 2021, during the official launch of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunication Sector and the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr President said;

 

“I commend the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), for the landmark achievements of the digital economy sector and his commitment in carrying out his responsibility of developing the sector, including championing the growth of the indigenous telecom sector and NIN-SIM registration process”.

 

Pantami has also received several commendations and encomium from serving state governors, foreign ambassadors in Nigeria, members of the National Assembly, colleagues, members of the fourth estate of the realm, among others.

 

As most pundits have reiterated, the pantami leadership have provided the enabling environment where Nigerians can develop, adopt and derive value for digital technologies.

 

Other recipients of the Prestigious Honourary Awards include the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness, Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar.

Minister Pantami also responded on behalf of all the awardees.

 

 

 

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today flagged off FG's Digital Entrepreneurship Programme for Industry Stakeholders taking place in Gombe State University (GSU), Gombe, Gombe State.

 

The capacity building programme is aimed at enhancing Digital Literacy and Skills, in line with the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

 

Prof. Pantami while making his remarks urged the participants to embrace the spirit of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, stressing that, they are the two prerequisites for a Digital Economy.

 

 

The Minister cited an example with MIT which is one of the most successful institutions globally because it adopted a Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) which helps accelerate economic growth and promote social progress through innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE).

 

Minister Pantami informed the gathering that the focus today across the globe has shifted from paper qualification to skills.

 

"Tech Companies like Amazon, Uber, Google are successful because they were able to identify a problem in the society and proffer a solution". The Minister said.

 

Pantami urged the participants to strive to possess soft skills such as Critical thinking, analytical thinking, collaborative thinking, creativity, and problem solving.

 

 

In the capacity of a Guest Speaker, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today lectured participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 30 on "Digital Economy and Human Security in Nigeria: The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in Perspective".

 

The lecture delivered to the participants drawn from 17 countries from Africa, Asia and Nigeria is part of implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

 

The NDC is the highest military institution in Nigeria for the training of selected senior military officers, the Nigeria Police Force and senior civil servants from strategic Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government for higher responsibilities. It also trains officers from allied countries.

 

 

Nigeria's Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, today, Monday 15th November 2021, delivered the Guest Lecture at the 2021 International Conference on Computing and Advances in Information Technology (ICCAIT). organised by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The Guest Speaker shared from his wealth of experience dissecting the topic “ICT as an Enabler for the Digital Economy: The Nigerian Story”.

 

In his presentation, the Honourable Minister illustrated the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in improving the resilience of the Nigerian economy, while reiterating the importance of cybersecurity in developing a sustainable digital economy and the giant strides made in Nigeria. He noted that the adoption and deployment of ICT contributes significantly to economic growth and development because it drives innovation, improves quality of life, creates jobs and reduces the cost in many sectors of the economy, allowing for greater interconnection of global markets Countries are now able to create new technological platforms and industries on one hand, while enhancing the efficiency and productivity of existing industries on the other. Technologies such as Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Robotics, 3D printing, Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence to mention a few, have the potential to act as impact amplifiers, challenging traditional approaches of going about ‘age old problems’ in sectors such as agriculture, financial services, healthcare, education, water, and energy.

 

Furthermore, the Guest Speaker noted that the emergence, adoption and deployment of ICT has shifted the traditional economy into a digitalized one – that is the Digital Economy - and this has led to economic prosperity around the world. Nigeria's commitment to developing its digital economy is expected to open up opporunities in Africa's digital economy, which McKinsey estimates will grow to over $300 billion by 2025.

 

The Honourable Minister noted the impact of the COVID-19 on enhancing digitilisation while also increasing the need for greater vigilance against the growing cyber threats. He also outlined some of the efforts of the Federal Government towards improving cybersecurity in Nigeria, including the implementation of relevant policies, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria and the Revised National Digital Economy Policy for SIM Registration. The efforts towards the promotion of sectoral Computer Emergency Readiness & Response Teams (CERRTs) and the focus on Data and Privacy Protection were also discussed.

 

The Conference was graced by the the top management of the Ahmadu Bello University and experts in the ICT sector. The Honourable Minister, while thanking the organisers for organising the Conference reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the digital economy and cybersecurity in the country through policy implementation, capacity building and forging relevant partnerships.

 

 

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister.

15th of November 2021

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) today made a technical presentation at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum (NIPF), a high-level event to accompany and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the Paris Peace Forum.

 

The Minister also partook in a panel session along with the National Security Adviser of Nigeria, Major Gen. Babagana Munguno (Rt), the Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin Region, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and the Commissioner of Peace and Security of the African Union, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye,

 

The panelists discussed Initiatives of Combating Persistent and Emerging Threats to National Security (including Cybersecurity) and Regional Stability.

 

 

The current leadership of Nigeria’s Digital Economy sector has continued to attract global attention as foreign investors seek partnerships with the Federal Government in that regard. The People’s Republic of China today, 4th November 2021, expressed interest in long term partnerships and collaborations with the Nigerian Digital Economy sector. This position was made known by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Cui Jianchun, on an official visit to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami).

 

The Ambassador disclosed that China was willing to explore the five Ts which he categorised as technology transfer (salt exchange), talent cultivation, treasure capitalisation, technology application and tradition transcendence with Nigeria as the two countries have similarities in talent and strength of numbers which can be adequately explored, to build the right synergy for economic development . Mr Jianchun informed Professor Pantami that China is currently prioritising its development goals in the areas of politics, economy, security, agriculture, culture and tourism.

 

He urged the Minister to consider all the avenues of cooperation between the two countries.

 

In his response, Professor Pantami assured the Chinese Ambassador of the country’s willingness to build mutually beneficial relationships and consolidate on existing partnerships. He also presented a copy of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) to the Ambassador with a view to partnering with China in the areas listed in the Policy.

 

 

 

Uwa Suleiman

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister

4th November 2021

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) received in audience, the representative of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on a working visit.

 

The KOICA rep was at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Abuja to brief the Minister on;

 

1. Status update on the eGovt Phase 2 project;

2. Notify the Minister of the visit of the Vice President of KOICA; and

3. Inform the Minister of the intention of Cameroonian delegation, led by the Minister of Public service and administrative reform to come for a study visit to Nigeria.