Akure, Oct. 6, 2023: The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on individuals, governments, private sector, academic and others in the society for more collaboration to enhance digital economy sector to develop the country.
Dr Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, made the call at the stakeholders engagement and ecosystem development programme, organised by the agency which on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the programme was “Creating opportunities, breaking boundaries towards digitalization and entrepreneurial evolution”.
Inuwa, who was represented by Mr Oladejo Olawumi, Director, Standard Guidelines and Framework in the agency, said if digital technology could be adopted by all, it would provide opportunities for all parts of the economy, especially health, education and agriculture.
The DG, who explained that the agency had established Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), said it was now that digital technology should became a part of every aspect of the society.
According to him, modern digital technologies have changed how uncertainty in business processes and results works and how to handle the uncertainty.
“It is not just a fancy word but it is what causes big changes in industries. It changes the way we do business, take care of our health, educate ourselves, and even govern.
“So, digitalisation changes things for the better, eliminates obstacles, and creates new chances that we couldn’t even think of before. Our responsibility is to take hold of these possibilities and use them to transform society.
“Let us be the architects of a future where opportunities are abundant, boundaries are shattered, and every entrepreneur’s vision finds a productive ground to flourish.
“Together, we have the power to shape the destiny of our digital nation,” Inuwa said.
Dr Mohammed Agbali, Senior Manager, Research and Development in NITDA, who presented a paper, said it was time for citizens to take advantage and opportunity in digital economy sector for the development of the country.
According to him, the opportunity to create job on Nigeria today is more available in digital economy than any other sectors.
Agbali explained that Apple and Amazon were contributing to the development of the USA in terms of tax and employment, saying that Nigerians needed to grow their own company so that the country could develop economically.
“Let us start supporting digital technology companies in Nigeria so that they can develop to the level of contributing to the development and economy of the country,” he said.
He, therefore, called on youths to take the advantage of digital economy to build skills so that they could participate adequately in the space.
Mr Olumbe Akinkugbe, Chairman of the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), said the state would continue to support NITDA for them to achieve their aims in digital economy.
Akinkugbe said the stakeholders’ engagement would move the state and county forward, to ensure the digital- based entrepreneurship and economy.
The SITA chairman said that the state had made entrepreneurial activities seamless by creating the enabling environment for the people through SITA for the government activities in I.T solution.
“This stakeholders engagement will enhance greater development in the digital economy of the state and I have no doubt in my mind that NITDA has thought it well in the choice of the state.
“We will continue to welcome such opportunity in future and also support NITDA collaboration and partnership toward rapid development,” he said.
One of the participants, Mr Godspower Otali, CEO of Wetin Dey Code Academy, appreciated the agency for bringing the programme to the grassroots.
He said it had bridged gap between the government and people, and also boosted the morale of the youth in the state and county at large.
According to Otali, youths need to equip and develop themselves in the skills of ITC to change their life for better in the future.
“It’s right time our people come to technology space because that’s the new blood money in the country.
“Oil has failed us, everything has failed us but digital space and digital skills is not failing us, so, I will encourage everyone, especially youths, to get digital skills,” he said.
