February 13, (THEWILL) – The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, recently held a stakeholders’ engagement session at the Lagos Chamber for Commerce and Industry, Ikeja Lagos, to analyse the prospects, constraints of digitalisation, entrepreneurial evolution and the ramifications of the digital economy for Nigeria.
The session, which was themed, ‘Creating opportunities, breaking boundaries: Towards digitalisation and entrepreneurial evolution’, was specifically intended to provide a forum where vital insights and aids in breaking down barriers to digitisation and evolution could be discussed by the stakeholders in various facets ranging from education, health, finance, agriculture and telecommunication. More so, the session evaluated areas through which start-ups can maximize the evolution of technology to grow their business across Nigeria, Africa and the other continents just like businesses in other continents have been able to reach even the deepest parts of Africa through digitization.
In the keynote speech at the forum on behalf of the Lagos State Government, the Honourable Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Hakeem Popoola Fahm, noted that digital technologies have larger consequences for value creation and value capture than merely providing new options for inventors and entrepreneurs.
In his words, “The digital revolution has transformed our lives and societies at an unprecedented rate and scale, bringing enormous benefits and, of course, terrible problems. New technologies have the potential to make major contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but favorable outcomes must not be taken for granted.”
The Commissioner further stated that NITDA, since its establishment in April 2001 to carry out the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and oversee general information technology development, has continued to build a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of information technology practices, activities, and systems in Nigeria.
“The NITDA has been Nigeria’s primary Agency in charge of e-government implementation, Internet governance, and general IT development. However, the introduction of unique and powerful digital technologies, platforms and infrastructures has fundamentally altered innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Fahm further noted that collective effort has to be made to bridge the digital divide where the majority of people have limited or no Internet access. He mentioned that inclusivity is critical to creating a digital economy that works for everyone.
Hence, new technologies, such as blockchain, machine learning and, in particular, artificial intelligence, will surely result in a significant shift in the labour market, including the elimination of jobs in some sectors and the development of changes in others on a vast scale.
He consequently said that to realize digital technology’s full social and economic potential while avoiding unexpected consequences, local cooperation must be immediately strengthened and given the high stakes, a High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation should be formed to better understand the important digital opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Similarly, in the welcome address delivered by the CCIE Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdulahi, the DG stated that the three cardinal objectives of the stakeholders forum is to offer stakeholders the opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the agency’s implementation of its mandate, establish sustainable collaborations and consistent channel for feedback and exchange of ideas and share with stakeholders, the vision, regulatory instruments for national development, and the journey so far.
The commissioner conclusively appreciated the NITDA for the comprehensive approach taken to answer Nigerians’ desire to participate in the new digital world, not just as users and consumers but also as producers, exporters, and inventors, to create and capture more value on their path to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, participants from varying sphere ranging from education, health, business, law, telecommunication, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, were present for the stakeholders’ discussion.
Other stakeholders present at the programme included the Head of NITDA South West Zonal office, Mrs Chioma J. Okee-Aguguo; the Director for Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Onumo. O. Aristotle; the Director, Standard Guidlines and Framework, (SGF), Mr Dejo Olawunmi; Head, Project Management Unit, Dr. Mohammed Saidu Kumo; Director, e-Government Development and Regulations (e-GDR).
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