… as Ajiya Promotes FG Digital Ecosystem Policies

The 9th Global ICT Leadership Forum in Seoul Republic of Korea has come and gone but not without its benefits as the Digital Bridge Institute, DBI has been given the right to host the Information Access Centre (IAC) by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea.

Recall that NIA, Republic of Korea has been to DBI for a facility assessment tour and found DBI worthy of using it as an Information Access Centre. After a painstaking and rigorous selection process which was supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Ministry of Finance, and further participation of the DBI Team led by Prof Mohammed Ajiya at the 9th Global ICT Leadership Forum, the DBI has now been approved to be as an Information Access Centre (IAC).

IAC aims to create multi-functional facilities which include an ICT Training Lab, Internet Lounge, Video Conference Room, and Administrative Office to offer a wide range of opportunities for ICT enablement and to bring them into the Information Society. In this regard, NIA is to equip DBI training facilities and make it a global Information Access Centre.

At the 2-day 9th Global ICT Leadership Forum started from Wednesday, 1st to Thursday, 2nd November, 2023, Prof. Ajiya extensively discussed policies of the Nigerian government to promote digital innovation and co-prosperity.

The forum tagged: Global Cooperation for the Digital Co-prosperity Society was held at Sofitel Ambassador Hotel, Seoul, Republic of Korea and hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT(MSIT) and organized by the National Information Society Agency (NIA), Republic of Korea.

Prof Ajiya, who was among the panelists discussed the topic: Digital Ecosystem for Innovation and Co-prosperity. He elaborated on Nigeria government’s digital policies which according to him included: National Digital Economic Policy and Strategies 2020 – 2030, Nigeria Payment Systems Vision 2025 among others

He added that “these policies and frameworks have helped to ramp up the adoption and implementation of ICT services in Nigeria. Presently major success has been recorded in the Financial Technology (FinTech) sector. The Nigeria Fintech Industry has birthed key innovations, and strategic partnerships that have improved Nigeria’s financial inclusion ratings and major ecosystem transformations, building indigenous solutions to tech challenges. The FinTech sub-sector is committed to accelerating innovation in the Nigerian technology landscape.

“Nigeria is among the top three leading technology hubs in Africa. Nigeria has witnessed the launch of successful FinTech and has produced fintech unicorns that have delivered viable technology services within and across borders. Such tech startup includes brands like Interswitch, Jumia, Flutterwave, Opay, and Andela who have joined the club more recently. Development in the FinTech sector has also seen the emergence of Digital Banking Companies and several mobile payment solution providers and tech service providers. The fintech sector is the most visible and evident testament to Nigeria’s tech transformation”

On digital ecosystem policy initiatives taken by the Nigeria government to promote innovations and co-prosperity, Ajiya stated that “presently, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani in October 2023 has rolled out a roadmap titled “Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency -A Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy”.

“The vision of the Honourable Minister was to facilitate universal, ubiquitous, and cost-effective access to communications infrastructure throughout the country, Promote the utilization of ICT in all spheres of life to optimize the communications infrastructure – digital content creation, domestic software applications, and the delivery of private and public services over the Internet, Promote and facilitate the development of the ICT industry and increase the contribution of the ICT industry to GDP and Utilise ICT to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of public service delivery in Nigeria.”

Major Nations at the forum were: Nigeria, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Korea, Lao PDR, Panama, Serbia, Uganda, Vietnam, and the World Bank Group.

Prof Mohammed Ajiya and the Group Head, of Corporate Services, Ms. Viola Usoro-Askia were the DBI team who represented Nigeria at the forum.