Minister of Communication and Digital
Minister of Communication and Digital Economy,Isa Ali Pantami
FG targets 95% Digital Skill by
2022
The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr.
Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FNCS, FBCS, FIIM has revealed that
Federal Government through the Ministry would facilitate 95%
digital literacy skills in the next two years in the country.
He stated this during the 7th Regular
Meeting of the National Council on Communications and Digital
Economy with the theme “Leveraging the Gains of ICTs in Developing
and Implementing A Digital Economy Strategy for Nigeria”) held at
the Banquet Hall, Gombe House, Gombe State.
According to the Minister, to achieve basic,
intermediate and advance skills in digital literacy in Nigeria,
thereby bridging the existing gap, the unflinching support of all
states governments would be required. He added.
He said, “This cannot be achieved alone by Federal
Government, all the states must key-in to see that ICT literacy is
provided to its indigenes. This is absolutely necessary for the
implementation of digital economy”.
Pantami pointed out that, this is why Federal
Government is agitating and advocating for all states to ensure
basic knowledge of ICT is mandatory from Primary level to Secondary
as this would create enabling environment for children to grow up
with knowledge of ICT.
The Minister urged the states to work towards changing
the perception of their indigenes and residents and make them
understand that today ICT is not about socialization and ease of
activities but for economic empowerment which the world economists
have predicted that the 60% of the world economy will be dominated
by digital economy and we do not want to be left behind. He
stressed.
According to him, “To have Digital Nigeria means
Federal, States and Local government must all be on board in order
to achieved digital Nigeria, that is why it is very important to
look at the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. The
responsibilities and implementations of the policy document should
be borne by the Federal, States and Local governments”.
He said that the policy document is not static and
there is room for council deliberations to be accommodated and
stressed the need for integration of observations, recommendations,
comments, and constructive criticisms from stakeholders.
The Minister reiterated that parastatals under the
supervision of his Ministry are regulatory bodies as such
they are required to come up with development regulations
that will provide enabling environment to support the sector and
make digital economy strive in Nigeria[BK1][1] .
He said, “In the course of doing that they are not in
any way urged or encouraged to come up with unnecessary
restrictions but to ensure that these instruments are regulations
that are to support the development of the sector”.
Earlier, the Executive |Governor of Gombe State,
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr.
Manassah Daniel Jatau commended the Ministry of Communications and
Digital Economy for the choice of the state to host the highest
national advisory body on ICT noting that the body also
provides platform for planning, implementation, directing and
coordination of policies, programmes and activities in the ICT
sector of the Nigeria Economy.
He said Gombe state is fully committed to partnering
with the Ministry in its current effort towards enhancing digital
inclusion, connecting their people and opening up opportunities so
that no community is left behind in the rapidly growing digital
world.
Phil Oshodin
(Director (Press)