Minister’s Week In Review
Recap (December 2 – 6, 2024) of the activities of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
INTRO
As we wind up a most eventful year, my engagements this week were centred around making significant progress in our efforts to leverage innovation and technology trade as a catalyst for economic growth and collective regional prosperity. This informed my participation at the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) where I called for collective action towards enhancing Nigeria's contribution to the global technology trade.
KEY FOCUS
Trade Facilitation: Promoting trade relations, particularly digital trade, with strategic partners such as South Africa holds immense benefits for both countries. It is on this basis that I joined fellow Ministers at the Ministerial Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) to advocate for strengthened digital connectivity, expanded digital literacy initiatives, and enhanced data protection and online safety for all citizens.
TIMELINE
Monday
I travelled to South Africa where I joined other government leaders at the Ministerial Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC). The BNC underscored the strategic importance of collaboration in relation to the digital economy, and highlighted the need to leverage each other’s capabilities to grow Africa’s digital economy, including through the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
At the Ministerial session, both countries agreed to collaborate on critical engagements that address mutual challenges in food and nutrition security, strengthening meaningful digital connectivity, taking leadership in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), expanding digital literacy initiatives as well as prioritising data protection and online safety for all citizens.
During the engaging discussion at the Ministerial Session, I advocated for the creation of a standalone Digital Economy Working Group to further highlight the importance of the sector to the accelerated growth of our economies.
Tuesday
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On Tuesday, I joined H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he embarked on his high level meeting with our host, H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. Both Presidents are Co-chairs of the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC).
Following this, I attended the South Africa-Nigeria Business Roundtable where we deliberated on the challenges, opportunities and solutions to deepen bilateral trade and investment flows between our countries.
The session was attended by H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa, and moderated by Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Wednesday
After my engagements in South Africa, I returned to Nigeria where I spent the rest of the work week in meetings with my internal team to receive updates and review our progress towards delivering on our Ministry’s strategic objectives.
Thursday
On Thursday, I was represented by the Permanent Secretary of our Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yabo, at the closing session of the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) in Makurdi, Benue State importance of leveraging digital technologies for national development.
The 2024 edition of the Council Meeting is themed, ‘Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.’
BLUEPRINT REVIEW
Last week, my activities focused on the Trade pillar objective of our Strategic Blueprint as I participated in the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) including the highly engaging Business Roundtable to explore areas of collaboration between both countries, especially as it relates to digital trade, for the benefit of both nations.
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1wGod bless you and your generation @Bosun Tijani for awaking the skill of tech in Nigeria youth your initiative has mould and make some of us to be tech competitive.
Knowledge Driven | Economist | Love Networking|
1wThis is really awesome.
Project Manager @ Integrated Craftworks | Project Management Specialist
1wI don't know who to thank the most for all that this ministry has become and is doing. You Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani or President Bola Tinubu who appointed you to this ministry? Well done Sirs may God crown your efforts with success.
Software Developer Specialize on React.JS || MERN.JS || Axios || Redux
1wDr. ‘Bosun Tijani All your selfless efforts towards empowering Nigerian youths will undoubtedly yield fruits of positive transformation. May God richly bless and reward you for your tireless contributions. I've successfully completed 3MTT Cohort 2, and my heartfelt desire is to meet you in person one day. I have faith that God will make this possible. Furthermore, I'd like to bring to your attention a proposal I've developed, which I believe has the potential to generate internal revenue while driving positive impact. The proposal focuses on two key areas: 1. Improving Educational Skills: Enhancing the quality of education to equip Nigerian youths with relevant skills to reduce failures. 2. Census Integration: Leveraging technology to streamline census data collection, analysis, and management, leading to more accurate and efficient decision-making. I'd be grateful if you could review my proposal. Your consideration and guidance would be invaluable in bringing this initiative to life. Thank you for being an inspiration
Data Analyst | IT Specialist | Product Manager | Founder | Entrprenuer
1w"It has been an impactful journey, Sir. Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani has provided Nigerians, especially the youth, with a transformative tool a ballistic missile of innovation, creativity, and productivity. As Tosin Eniolorunda aptly said, 'Innovation starts at the intersection of creativity and technology.' This is exactly what Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani is tirelessly working to foster. Thank you, Sir, for your vision, dedication, and sacrifice. Your efforts are shaping a brighter future for us all."