Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, the President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), has commended CISCO, the global ICT networking giant for playing critical role in deepening the nation’s digital economy.

Prof. Ajiya spoke Tuesday at the Annual Cisco Safari International Conference 2022.

The conference, which took place at Communication and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, was put together by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The DBI chief who was Guest of Honour at the conference with the theme: “Digital Skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Impact on National Development”, heaped praises on the convener of the event for their contributions to the national development in the area of lCT.

He highlighted the importance of lCT in all aspects of life in the modern era, stressing that the DBI as a training lnstitute was established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with focus on capacity building and manpower development for both government and private organizations especially in the evolving areas of lCT, telecoms and general skills development for self-sustenance.

Prof. Ajiya noted that NCC’s intervention in the empowerment of Nigerians on digital literacy through the Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) has led to the empowerment of over 90,000 staff of tertiary institutions in the country.  He appreciated the support of the NCC under the leadership of Prof.  Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO.

The DBI boss particularly commended the strategic effort of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami whom he said is leading initiatives towards enabling a self- sustaining lCT sector through impactful policy direction. He described the minister as a workaholic,  who compulsively works hard for the uplift and growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

In his keynote, Prof.  Pantami noted that “we are championing a paradigm shift in the country leveraging on technology to give preference and priority to proven skills over paper qualifications, particularly digital skills.

He urged CISCO to “establish training academies across Nigeria especially underserved areas in order to empower citizens with the requisite skills required to maintain global relevance.”

He pointed out that with the advent of 4G revolution,  virtual reality has eclipsed physical reality.

The conference exemplified NITDA’ s strategic alliances with the private sector and corporate bodies for the actualisation of Nigeria’s digital economy and IT vision.

The DBI President was accompanied by the  Group Head,  Research,  lnnovation and Consultancy, Mr. Paulinus Ugwoke,  Head, Public Affairs Unit, Mr Akin Ogunlade,  and Temidayo Babansulaimon.