We are working on creating largest digital database in Africa, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on world leaders to come
up with proposals to create a digital world that is accessible,
inclusive and safe to all.

He made the call in his keynote speech at the 2019 Annual
Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai on Monday.

Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Femi Adesina, said a certain level of regulation was
needed to preserve the integrity of the digital economy.

The theme of the summit is: ‘Mapping the Future of Foreign
Direct Investment: Enriching World Economies through Digital
Globalization.’’

Acknowledging that digital globalisation is transforming the
world almost every day with innovations and transformative ideas,
the Nigerian leader cautioned that the cyber world would remain a
constant threat if left unregulated.

He decried the use of the cyberspace to manipulate elections,
subvert the democratic rights of citizens as well as propagate
violence.

He also lamented the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes,
particularly when platforms are hijacked and manipulated by
criminals.

President Buhari, therefore, called for collective efforts led
by both public and private sector leaders to address the emerging
threats of digital globalisation.

‘‘Today, we have a cyber-world that is intangible but real. This
borderless world is powerful, and it impacts the lives of billions
of people, no matter how remote their physical locations are.

‘‘People work in it. People socialise in it. And people invest
in it. This presents enormous opportunities. But it also remains a
constant threat if left unregulated.

‘‘On the one hand, it has made the human race more productive
and more efficient. Today, we have digital banking, virtual
currencies and many social platforms that connect people and
cultures.

‘‘On the other hand, we have seen platforms hijacked and
manipulated as evidenced by the steady rise in fake news and
cybercrimes.

‘‘More recently, we are also witnessing the use of the
cyberspace to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights
of citizens as well as propagate violence.

‘‘In effect, the digital world has become the new frontier for
both good and evil. Therefore, the challenge for world leaders must
be to ensure that this space is inclusive, accessible and safe,’’
the President told the ninth edition of AIM, attended by world
leaders in both the public and private sectors.” he stated.

The President used the occasion to reflect on the digital
revolution in Nigeria, buoyed by impressive statistics on mobile
phone penetration, technology hubs and the advent of young
entrepreneurs attracting investments of over 100 million dollars to
the country.

His words: ‘‘In Nigeria, our mobile phone penetration exceeds
eighty per cent. This means the majority of Nigeria’s one hundred
and ninety million citizens are fully connected to this new digital
world; especially our youth.

‘‘Sixty-five per cent or one hundred and seventeen million
Nigerians are under the age of 25 years. These bright minds are the
drivers of this emerging digital sector.

‘‘Today, Nigeria has close to ninety technology hubs and every
day, new ones are coming up and they are all developing solutions
for Nigerian, and indeed global problems.

‘‘Already, these young entrepreneurs have attracted investments
of over one hundred million dollars. A sizeable amount from
overseas including Silicon Valley.

‘‘As many of you from this region are aware, Nigerian start-ups
always have a very impressive outing at the Gulf Information
Technology Exhibition (GITEX). Many have won prizes.’’

President Buhari told the investment summit that as leaders in
the public and private sector it was their responsibility to create
the enabling environment for young people to flourish and reach
their full potential.

He shared the Nigerian experience: ‘‘When we came in 2015, we
immediately agreed that any future economic growth must be
inclusive. As the Nigerian youth population is fully digitalised,
it is clear that the idea of having an inclusive economy cannot be
achieved without digital inclusion.’’

The President announced that Nigeria was working on creating the
largest digital database in Africa, with over thirty million
Nigerians and legal residents already captured in the country’s
digital identity system.

Also, the President highlighted that Nigeria’s public sector
reform programmes, from procurement to payroll to revenue
collections, focus on digitising key operations.

He said the recourse to technology and digitisation reinforces
the administration’s objectives of improving efficiency,
accountability and transparency in governance.

On cybersecurity, President Buhari said Nigeria has taken the
lead in cyber policing in West Africa, working with regional and
global partners.