Minister’s Week In Review

Last week’s (July 15 – July 19, 2024) recap of the activities of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

INTRO 

I joined other notable personalities including the Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima at the stakeholder summit geared at harnessing trade as a catalyst for economic growth and continental cohesion in line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) objectives.

At the event, I highlighted Nigeria’s progress in driving the key components of the digital trade protocol such as e-commerce, digital infrastructure, data protection, cross-border payments, capacity building, and innovation & entrepreneurship, signifying our readiness to lead the continent in digital trade.

KEY FOCUS

Trade: I addressed participants at a stakeholder summit to unveil a comprehensive strategy geared at leading Africa’s digital trade revolution within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). I highlighted the opportunities inherent in adopting regional economic integration which has the potential to position Nigeria as a major player in the African and global technology ecosystem.

Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital: To deepen Nigeria’s relationship with the United States of America, and promote shared prosperity, I met with Arun Venkataraman, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and his team. At the meeting, I called for increased investment in Nigeria’s ICT and startup ecosystem, and also highlighted opportunities around Artificial Intelligence (AI)I, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and data interoperability & privacy. 

TIMELINE

Monday

I started my week in a virtual meeting with Uche Amaonwu, Director, Nigeria Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss ongoing support and collaboration on the Ministry’s initiatives, particularly in the areas of data exchange and Artificial intelligence (AI).

At the meeting, he requested my participation in a scheduled technical panel featuring a significant number of the Foundation’s Senior Program Leadership from Seattle, U.S.

Next I met with Adrian Wood, CEO of Ntel, who outlined his plans towards restructuring the telecoms company while leveraging its existing infrastructure, including an undersea cable running from South Africa through to the United Kingdom.

Following this meeting, I joined fellow cabinet members at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tuesday

First engagement on Tuesday was with my team to map out the approach and next steps towards developing Nigerian Web Design Standards. This will provide visual guidance and code that will allow all MDAs design and build accessible government websites. 

I later held a meeting with a team from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to discuss the progress on the work done on the National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN). They shared a progress update on the proposed membership of the alliance and also identified challenges that may be encountered as we work towards solving the non-consumption challenge facing the telecoms sector.  

The NCC team was represented by Olatokunboh Oyeleye, Head, Digital Economy, NCC, as well as Fidelis Onah and Dr. Umar Abdullahi.

Following this meeting, I had an update meeting with my team to assess the progress of the planned Build-A-Thon Holiday Camp being organised for students aged 10-18 in selected schools across the country.

I later met with Dr. Armstrong Takang, MD, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), to continue ongoing discussions around deploying the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) targeted at delivering 90,000km of fibre-optic network across Nigeria.

Wednesday

I hosted representatives of GITEX, led by its CEO and Executive Vice President, Trixie LohMirmand. The team presented their plan for the 2025 GITEX set to take place in Nigeria, and also sought to outline the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that will determine the success of the event. 

Following the presentation, I stated the need to highlight the Return on Investment (ROI) of GITEX to Nigeria, and also ensure the active involvement of key players in the country’s technology ecosystem as the organisers develop the theme and direction of the event. 

Also present at the meeting were Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG/CEO, NITDA and GITEX representatives including Bilal Al-Rais, Vice President; Richard James Brook, AVP Marketing; and Jessy Fula Matingu, Sales Manager.

Others are Akande Ojo, President/CEO Pinnacle International Consulting GITEX Country Representative; and Segun Oruame, Director, Media & Publicity, Pinnacle Consulting.

After this, I was pleased to welcome Arun Venkataraman, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and his team, to discuss issues around increased investment in Nigeria’s ICT and startup ecosystem, as well as explore opportunities in AI, DPI, and data interoperability & privacy. 

I expressed anticipation for their support as the country sets up the Nigeria Startup House in San Francisco to support Nigerian businesses looking to raise funding in and around the Silicon Valley.

I later met with representatives of the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) led by Joy Dariye, Country Director, TBI Nigeria. The meeting centred on identifying areas of collaboration and support for the Ministry as it delivers on its strategic objectives. 

Others at the meeting include Obianuju Uchenna, Senior Manager/Deputy Country Director, TBI Nigeria; Michael Egbe, Tech Lead, TBI Nigeria; and Ife Ibigbami, Manager, TBI Nigeria.

Thursday

My first official engagement of the day was a meeting at the Ministry of Finance with fellow members of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) Reform Panel, tasked by President Tinubu to review and audit existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of social investment programmes with a view to implementing a total re-engineering of its financial architecture.

Members of the panel include Wale Edun, Coordinating Minister of the Economy & Minister of Finance; Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; and Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth.

I then headed to Keffi, Nasarawa State to attend a retreat for Management and Staff of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy and its Agencies targeted at successfully delivering on the key aspects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In my remarks, I highlighted the importance of delivering on the goals outlined in the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint which is in alignment with the President’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria.

Key stakeholders present at the retreat include Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Dr. Aminu Maina, EVC, NCC; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG/CEO, NITDA; Dr. Vincent Adetunji, National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission and other senior officials from the Ministry and our agencies.

Friday 

I was at the State House, Presidential Villa, to participate in a Stakeholders Summit themed, ‘Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy’. The Summit marked the unveiling of a comprehensive strategy to lead Africa’s digital trade revolution within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

In my address, I acknowledged President Tinubu’s significant investments in every aspect of the digital trade protocol, with a view to harnessing opportunities in the country and continent at large.

I further stressed that through innovative policies and programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, data protection policy and improved investments in digital infrastructure, the administration is equipping the country’s young population for the opportunities of the present and future.

The event was attended by Nigeria’s Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, and other notable personalities including Kris Kamponi, Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commission; Dr. Prachi Agarwal, Senior Research Officer, ODI; and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG/CEO, NITDA.

I later met Tola Odeyemi, Postmaster General, Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) and Wu Kui Terrens, MD, Huawei Nigeria, to discuss the continued re-engineering of the postal service for the benefit of Nigerians.

BLUEPRINT REVIEW

Last week, my activities focused on the Trade and Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital pillar objectives of our Strategic Blueprint as I addressed participants at the stakeholder summit to unveil the roadmap for Africa’s digital trade revolution under AfCFTA. I also met with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce to discuss issues around increased investment in Nigeria’s ICT and startup ecosystem.